A number of muftis and Muslim religious figures are being detained in Russia.
These processes are being linked to the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia and the processes surrounding its leader.
In various regions of Russia, cases of detention and arrest of muftis and Muslim religious and community figures are being observed. Some have been charged with bribery, while others have been accused of ties to terrorist organizations. Meduza reports on this.
According to information, the Mufti of Mordovia, Rail Asainov, was detained on suspicion of attempting to bribe. According to the investigation, he offered a bribe to a representative of an educational institution for university students to pass their exams. Asainov was later released. It is reported that several other Muslim community activists were also detained along with him.
In Moscow, the imam of the South Butovo Mosque and former mufti of Karelia, Visam Ali Bardwil, was placed under administrative arrest for 15 days. He is accused of disobeying police orders at Sheremetyevo Airport.
According to the publication "Kommersant," in May, several religious figures and community representatives were arrested on charges of participating in the activities of the "Muslim Brotherhood" organization. Among them are Muhammad Henni, former head of the "Community of Muslims of the Northwest," Nidal al-Khikha, deputy mufti of Saratov Oblast, and Ingush theologian Akhmed Tangiyev. It is reported that the detentions were carried out in St. Petersburg, Saratov, and North Ossetia.
Experts and some independent media outlets link these cases to processes surrounding the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia (DUM) and its head, Mufti Ravil Gaynutdin.
Political scientists and Islamic scholars explain these situations by the increased pressure on religious structures.
Experts note that in recent years, while maintaining a position loyal to the Russian government, the DUM has also expressed an independent viewpoint on certain issues related to the rights of migrants, the operation of mosques, and the religious practices of Muslims.
At the same time, experts are approaching the accusations of ties to terrorist organizations with caution. In their opinion, such cases may also be related to issues of influence and control among Muslim religious structures in Russia.
The Religious Board of Muslims of Russia and the Council of Muftis have not yet issued an official statement regarding these arrests.
