The FSB reported the detention of five Hizb ut-Tahrir members in Kazan

FSB officers in Tatarstan detained five members of the Kazan cell of the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir. This is reported by TASS with reference to the Center for Public Relations of the FSB.

“The Federal Security Service, in cooperation with units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops in Kazan, suppressed the activities of a cell of the international terrorist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami (banned in Russia by a decision of the Supreme Court in 2003), detained five of its members,” - the agency quotes the statement of the FSB.

Searches were carried out at several addresses, during which Hizb ut-Tahrir printed materials, communications equipment and electronic equipment were seized. It is reported that a criminal case has been opened, but it is not specified under which article. The names of the detainees and defendants in the case are not specified.

According to the security forces, the detainees carried out "anti-constitutional activities based on the doctrine of creating the so-called world caliphate, destroying the institutions of secular society, and aimed at overthrowing the current government by force." According to the department, the detainees were also engaged in attracting Muslims into their ranks.

• Several criminal cases have been opened in Tatarstan and neighboring Bashkortostan against members of the Islamist party Hizb ut-Tahrir. Dozens of believers were under investigation. Thus, in February 2020, the defendants of the “Kazan Ten Hizb ut-Tahrir” were sentenced to terms of 11 to 22 years in prison in the case of organizing the activities of a terrorist organization (part 1 of article 205.5 of the Criminal Code), or participation in it (part 1 of article 205.5 of the Criminal Code). 2 article 205.5 of the Criminal Code).
• The Islamic party "Hizb ut-Tahrir" was recognized by the Supreme Court as a terrorist organization. However, a number of experts from human rights organizations believe that there are no grounds for this, since the members of Hizb ut-Tahrir were not seen to be involved in the commission or preparation of terrorist attacks. Members of this party are accused of terrorism solely on the basis of party activities: meetings, reading literature.
• The Memorial Human Rights Center published an updated list of those accused of involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir. As of November 3, 2020, 309 people are included in it. Of these, 78 people received sentences of 15 years or more.