ASTRA: Detentions target officials tied to Russia’s Religious Board of Muslims

Several individuals linked to the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia (DUM) have been detained across multiple regions, including at least two muftis, ASTRA reports.

Those detained include the acting Mufti of the Republic of Mordovia, Rail Asainov and former Mufti of Karelia, Visam Ali Bardvil.

Detentions took place in Moscow, Saransk, Saint Petersburg, and Saratov. Among others detained are the head of the organisation “Community of Muslims of the North-West”, Mohammed Henny in Saint Petersburg, and an adviser to the Mufti of the Saratov region.

The press service of the DUM in Mordovia confirmed Asainov’s detention. According to the deputy mufti of the region, he is suspected of bribing the head of a master’s program at Mordovia State University in order to facilitate exam results.

Visam Ali Bardvil was arrested by Moscow’s Tagansky District Court and sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention for disobeying police orders. He is alleged to have refused to present documents at Sheremetyevo Airport on May 14, attempted to flee, and resisted arrest.

Authorities have not officially specified charges against the other detainees. Earlier, some representatives of the DUM have also faced inspections, legal actions, and regulatory scrutiny.

By Jeyhun Aghazada