Additional Name(s): Бектемиров Вадим Заидинович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 11 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/7/2020

Date of Sentencing: February/11/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism

Vadim Bektemirov

Extra Bio Info:

Vadim Bektemirov is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On July 7, 2020, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained Bektemirov among others after searching their homes. Authorities accused him of being in the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, saying he promoted organization's ideology, sought to attract new members, recruit new members at mosques, discussed the oppression of Muslims in Crimea, and possessed religious literature.

On February 11, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Bektemirov to 11 years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC).

On Aril 3, 2023, an appeals court upheld Bektemirov's sentence.

In November 2023, prison officials allegedly beat Bektemirov upon his arrival to the St. Petersburg correctional colony and took away his Qur'an and medicine.

Bektemirov is married with three children.

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