A new crisis in Russian Federation? Maybe according news spread by Ngo Memorial based in Moscow. For now our main purpose must be to follow the evolution of situation with extreme care. But it is manifest that Russian authorities do not respect human rights. Event forcing us to make a basilar consideration. Prologue. The Republic of Bashkortostan is a social asset based on Islamic Religion. Epilogue. And if this continuous not respect of human rights could represent the start up for turmoils ruled by Islamic extremists? A very worrying perspective I dare to say. Mostly because this Republic is located in the core of Central Asia. I mean in a strategic position among various strategic areas appealing the interests of Russia, China, Turkey and Usa. Owing to that, a particular attention is demanded to avoid further aggravation of situation. Make your choice by reading the press-releases distirbuted in last days by Memorial.

- Bashkortostan: Detainees Suspected of Extremism Tortured

As reported earlier by the media, on April, 6 2010 at 7.00 am, during a joint operation of the FSB and the Anti-extremism Center of the MVD of the Republic of Bashkortostan launched in Ufa and in the surburb of it - Alekseyevka village, searches were organized in 12 different houses. People suspected of being members of ’’Hizb ut-Tahrir’’, an international islamic organization prohibited in Russia, were arrested. The operation was held within the criminal case instituted in virtue of the Article 282, paragraph 2 (Incitement of National, Racial, or Religious Enmity) of the Penal Code of RF.

The court authorized the arrest of Mansur Sharipov, Rasim Sataev, Ildar Ibragimov, Shamil Galimov, Mikhail Toptygin and Rustam Gallyamov. Five others (Aleksei Khamadeyev, Dinar Avdikeyev, Ayrat Akhmetov, Ayrat Akhmetshin, Ruslan Zainullin) were released on their own custody late in the evening. The last suspect, Ayrat Ibragimov, was not at home during the search.

The ones that were released addressed a complaint to the law enforcement agencies and to the Human Rights Center ’’Memorial’’ where they reported that after their arrest, they were put to tortures and degrading treatments.

According to Aleksei Khamadeyev, he was brought to the building of the FSB, where he refused to recognize his participation in ’’Hizb ut-Tahrir’’. As a result, he was insulted and beaten, a knife was put against his throat, he was threatened to have his fingers cut, etc. After his liberation, he went to a first-aid center where his injuries were registered.

Policemen manacled Dinar Avdikeyev’s legs and beat them, put a bag around his head let him suffocate, etc. Avdikeyev lost counsciousness as a result of the tortures and his spinal column was seriously injured. Emergency workers called by the policemen announced that the victim had to be brought to hospital, but the Anti-extremism Center officials refused, saying that the detainee was a terrorist. Tortures continued until 10.00 pm. Late in the evening, Avdikeyev was released. He said that in summer 2010, officials of that same MVD subdivision tortured him, but that the prosecutor did not see their behavior as a legally defined crime.

Ayrat Akhmedov was physically violented during the questioning by the police. When he refused to testify against himself, referring to the Article 51 of the Constitution of RF, Anti-extremism Center officials declared that in their building that Article was irrelevant. The suspect was handcuffed, had to sit down on the ground, his head was wrapped in a plastic bag. Then, he had to cross his legs and, after bending his head, they attached it to his legs. Akhmet stayed in that position for about 30-40 minutes. Moreover, among other things, the policemen wiped their shoes on his head, hit the upper part of his body and stepped on his foot, threatening to continue that ’’procedure’’ as long as he would not give the evidences needed for the investigation. Ruslan Zainullin underwent similar tortures. Under pressure, both wrote the testimonies they were asked for by policemen and later rejected them.

Those detentions in Ufa may be linked to the fact that after the picket for defending the rights of the muslims on square Salavat Yulaev in Ufa on March, 25 2011 (video recordings available on the Internet: http://rutube.ru/tracks/4261559.html?v=9ae0d6ee1f06f4ed4c7fbb55911d1038), a demand to hold another similar picket on April, 8 2011 was presented, anticipating 5000 participants. After that, MVD reinforced his pressure on muslims suspected of extremism. Authorities suppose that members of ’’Hizb ut-Tahrir’’ played a major role in the organization of the picket of March, 25.

Complaints about systematic tortures made by officals of FSB and Anti-extremism Center of the MVD of the Republic of Bashkortostan on those suspected in ’’islamic extremism’’ are repeatedly addressed to Human Rights organisations.

April, 15 2011

- Bashkortostan: Complaints of Torture from Suspected of Extremism are Continuing

Human Rights Centre “Memorial” received a complaint from a student Aramis Fazylov, from Bashkir State Medical University (BGMU), who was tortured in connection with the criminal investigation of the “Khizb ut-Takhrir” case (see more in the report of Human Rights Centre “Memorial” from April, 14 :http://www.memo.ru/2011/04/14/1404114.html)

According to a statement on April 11, 2011, Fazylov was summoned to the vice-rector of University Vladimir Yuldashev, who informed the student that the curator of the law enforcement agency would conduct educational work with him. After 30-45 minutes an unknown person entered into the room. He handed Fazylov summons for questioning as a witness to an investigator R.A.Yamaletdinov at the Federal Security Service of the Republic of Bashkortostan (UFSB) at 4 pm.

When Fazylov came to UFSB, the investigator took him to the room where he was interrogated by three unknown men (among them was the one who brought the summons to the Bashkir State Medical University). Most of all the FSB offcers were interested in the organizers and participants of the picket protest of March 25, 2011 in Ufa, against the oppression of Muslims in the organization of which the authorities suspected “Khizb ut-Takhrir”.

Approximately two hours later, the student was handcuffed, with the explanation, that he can “make row” or “bite his hands”. After this they started to intimidate and insult the witness and threaten him with beatings. After a while Fazylov was violently brought into another room, where they rudely demanded him to lie on the floor. When he refused to comply with an illegal demand, one of the officers began to choke him. They forced Fazylov into a chair, put a hat on him, covered his face, and wrapped it with tape. Then they started beating him in the stomach and head. According to Fazylov one of the men who beat him participated in the questioning. During the beating they demanded from him to testify against young Muslims, whom he knew. The beating continued about 10-15 minutes. Then they seated him on the floor, forced to cross his feet, bowed his head, and tied his head to his feet. They took off his shoes and socks and wrapped his toes with wires and subjected to electronic shocks about 20 minutes. After the cessation of torture they followed questioning about the picketers on March 25. Then they brought him to the investigator, who also asked questions about the picket.

He insulted the witness and threatened him with expulsion from the university. The investigator said that there was a videotape confirming the participation of the respondent in the demonstration. According to Fazylov the demonstrated video did not confirm it.

The witness was in the building about five and a half hours. Around 10 pm they let him go home and obliged him to appear at the next interrogation.

Due to the occurrence Fazylov requires to institute criminal proceedings against the FSB officers.

April 20, 2011

For further information on facts: Memorial

For further information on Republic of Bashkortostan click here