Press Release
Unprecedented Mass Arrests of Muslims in Bashkiria
(Translated)

On the night of the sixth of February 2015 CE, Russian intelligence officers in collaboration with the Interior Ministry staff of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Bashkiria) carried out mass inspections and arrests in the Republic, there were 21 Muslims among the detainees who were arrested on charges of participating in Hizb ut Tahrir's activities. The detainees are:

1. Norlegeyanov Rinat Ranivovich, born in 1991.

2. Latypov Rustum Muratovich, 1976.

3. Galimov Rustum Ravelevich, born in 1981.

4. Sharipov Shamil Khajgalevich, born in 1976.

5. Khamzin Rustum Valervch, born in 1977.

6. Vakhitov Lennar Munirovich, born in 1983.

7. Tahirov Eric Rashadovich, born in 1989.

8. Mackstiotv Radmir Yousefovich, born in 1984.

9. Gamalldenov Ilgheiz Fileovich, born in 1988.

10. Fattahov Rafael Raolovich, born in 1980.

11. Fentahov Ruslan and Wakilovich, born in 1980.

12. Yaakobov Aral Gaifullavich, born in 1991.

13. Mamaev Rinat Mazetovich, born in 1971.

14. Kornev Alexander Valerovich, born in 1987.

15. Fayez Rahmanov Danis Muratovich, born in 1987.

16. Mustafayev Fareed Ramadanovich, born in 1987.

17. Ahmidov Radek Modarisovich, born in 1976.

18. Salimov Artur Raolovich, born in 1986.

19. Gataulin Rashad Razytovich, born in 1972.

20. Kayumov Azamat, born in 1985.

21. Ahmadsheen Vannes Fredovich, born in 1962.

All the Muslim detainees were charged according to Article 250.5 of the Russian Criminal Code, under which penalties can reach life imprisonment. In addition, these mass arrests are unprecedented over 10 years of suppression and persecution of Hizb ut Tahrir in Russia.

The only reason behind these charges against Muslims under this harsh article of the Criminal Code, is the decision of the Russian Supreme Court in 2003 CE, by which Russia has become the only country in the world that considered Hizb ut Tahrir as a terrorist party. Anyone who is familiar with our party's activities recognizes this, including the famous orientalist, Alexei Malashenko, who said live on air during an interview with TV Rain channel commenting on the arrests of Bashkiria in 05/2/2015 CE: "I would not accuse them of terrorism, this is because their method calls for the establishment of the caliphate (Khilafah "Caliphate") by peaceful means only, and they did not participate in any terrorist act". When he was asked by the program presenter with amazement, ‘So, how is this party considered terrorist and extremist in Russia?' He responded by saying, "In my opinion, everything according to us is considered as terrorism."

Thus, many people realize that the Russian authorities do not have a reason to fight the political party, Hizb ut Tahrir, except for the fear and panic of the spread of Islam in Russia. Every sane person realizes that the spread of Islam has become global; it is naive and foolish to believe this phenomena can be stopped in Russia or in any area inside it.

The floundering by the authorities comes in the context of economic instability and rising tensions in the community, and it is continuing to show its brutality; the Muslim detainees are known among people with integrity and kindness, and people know that Hizb ut Tahrir has nothing to do with terrorism, even those who do not agree with the party's ideas are witness to this. Thus, the intellectual weakness of the authorities builds in them all kinds of fear, and the recent arrests of members of the Islamic political party is but proof of that.

As for the Muslim detainees they truly are the best sons of the Islamic Ummah, the Prophet (saw) described them to us in the Hadeeth, where he (saw) said to his companions:

«إِنَّ مِنْ وَرَائِكُمْ أَيَّامَ الصَّبْرِ لِلْمُتَمَسِّكِ فِيهِنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِمَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرُ خَمْسِينَ مِنْكُمْ»، قَالُوا: يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَوَمِنْهُمْ؟ قَالَ: «بَلْ مِنْكُمْ»

"After you there will be days of patience, for the adherents in them to that which you follow (the Deen) the reward of fifty of you". They said, ‘O Prophet of Allah of them?' He said, "But of you." (Narrated by Ibn Majah)

 Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Russia