13 alleged Hizb ut-Tahrir members detained in Rostov-on-Don

The FSB announces the initiation of a criminal case.

On June 9, 2022, the FSB Public Relations Center announced the detention in Rostov-on-Don of 13 citizens of Central Asian countries who are suspected of involvement in the Islamic radical party Hizb ut-Tahrir, recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia. It is reported that a criminal case has been opened against the organizer of the "cell", probably under Art. 205.5 of the Criminal Code (organization of the activities of a terrorist organization or participation in one).

According to the department, the detainees “under the coordination of emissaries of a terrorist organization staying in Ukraine” spread terrorist ideology in Russia, “in the process of secret meetings, they recruited Russian residents from among local Muslims and labor migrants into their ranks.” It is reported that "propaganda materials", telephones and other equipment were confiscated from them.

The Leninsky District Court of Rostov-on-Don arrested at least one of the detainees, Khaidarali Ashurov, as suspected of preparing to participate in the activities of a terrorist organization (part 1 of article 30 and part 2 of article 205.5 of the Criminal Code). According to investigators, he studied party materials and tried to join the Hizb ut-Tahrir cell, but he was not accepted there. Ashurov said he did not admit guilt.

We believe that there were no sufficient grounds for banning Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization, since this party was not seen to be involved in terrorist attacks, and we consider it unlawful to accuse the followers of Hizb ut-Tahrir of terrorism only on the basis of party activities ( holding meetings, reading literature, etc.).

Sources

• Neutralized secret cell of MTO "Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami" // FSB RF. 2022. June 9.
• Rostov court arrested one of the members of Hizb ut-Tahrir // Tass. 2022. June 9.
• Christina Fedichkina. The terrorists were arrested // Kommersant. 2022. June 9.