Press Release
Tatarstan Sentences Members of Hizb ut Tahrir to Prison
(Translated)

On 8 December 2017, the Kazan Military Court convicted eight Muslims for organizing activities of the banned Hizb ut Tahrir political party in Russia and sentenced:

* Hafizov Asgat Hasanovich (born in 1985) to 19 years and two months imprisonment

* Adiyev Linar Azatovic (born in 1987) to 19 years imprisonment

* Dolchen Rosell Rimovich (born in 1988) to 18 years and 6 months imprisonment

* Valelolin Albert Rafikovic (born in 1974) to 18 years imprisonment

* Khavronin Pavel Vladimirovich (born in 1986) to 18 years imprisonment

* Ozbekov Timur Narimanovich (born in 1990) to 18 years imprisonment

* Zarepov Radek Ramelovic (born in 1985) to 16 years imprisonment,

all in Super-Maximum security prisons.

The court also ordered them to pay a fine of 100-150 thousand rubles.

These Stalinist sentences to prison are the result of Russia's hostile policy against Islam, which is intensified year after year. The war on so-called "terrorism" is a coverage of the war on Islam as a policy pursued by Russia at home and abroad. The security services are fabricating criminal cases against Hizb ut Tahrir members under the guise of war on terrorism. But the war on Islam, the religion revealed by Allah Almighty, has no hope of being victorious. All what the enemies of the Truth can do is to complicate their own situation.

The Muslims are without a protector, and with no state, and Hizb ut Tahrir has dedicated itself to its establishment, and therefore the Shabab of the party receive the prison as a test from Allah (swt) on the path of the Dawah. Allah (swt) said:

(الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ)

“Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."” [Al-i-Imran: 173].

These were the last words of Hafizov Asgat Hasanovich before his verdict:

“Praise is to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessings to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to all the members of his family, all his followers and all those who are on the truth until the Day of Judgment.
The accusation against me of belonging to Hizb ut Tahrir is not new.
In 2010-2011, I was already accused of similar acts, only under another Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Although in this case they said that I was "Masoul" (member of the local party apparatus), but the court came to the conclusion that these actions can be regarded as participation in the organization of Hizb ut Tahrir, and not as an organizer.

It's remarkable how the authorities assessed the danger that may come from Hizb ut Tahrir and its members. If in 2011, for the same actions, I was sentenced to one year of imprisonment, and then, having canceled this decision, I was fined 100 thousand rubles, now my actions are considered to be 15 to 20 years. The punishment was toughened more than 10 times. For what? All the activities of Hizb ut Tahrir have not changed, and my actions too. I have not stopped participation in Hizb ut Tahrir since 2008. I am the party member, and I do not understand why my ongoing deed was divided into two articles, because my participation in Hizb ut Tahrir was unchanged. I love the party of Hizb ut Tahrir for the sake of Allah, I love my brothers in this party and I am proud of their steadfastness despite such huge terms for which they are imprisoned.

The Russian authorities declared war on Islam. This is reflected in Russia's participation in the revolution in Syria, also Russia plans to participate in the conflict in Afghanistan, Yemen and other regions with a Muslim population. This struggle goes under the guise of combating terrorism. In the minds of people, Islam and terrorism have become identical.
For some reason, only Muslims are accused of terrorism in Russia.

The choice is yours, to be or not to be the instrument of an unjust power, the executioner of this system. And everyone, when presented to the Lord of this universe, will be asked for this choice. The forces of Truth and Lies, the forces of Good and Evil will fight among themselves until the Day of Judgment. Allah promises that victory will be for Islam, and the promises of Allah are true. Hizb ut Tahrir is the party that will be at the source of this promise.

And in the end: I swear by Almighty Allah to be the guardian of Islam and faithful to him, to accept the views, thoughts and constitution of Hizb ut Tahrir in words and actions, to trust the leadership of Hizb, executing his decisions, even if they contradict my view, and make their efforts on the way the fulfillment of Hizb's goal, while I am Hizbiy. Allah is a witness to what I say, Allah is sufficient to me as the Trustee, Protector and Guardian.”

Allah (swt) said:

(وَسَيَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ)

“Those who do wrong will come to know by what a (great) reverse they will be overturned!” [26:227]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Russia