The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation has commented for the first time on the arrests of Islamic scholars
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation (DUM RF) has officially responded for the first time to the wave of arrests of Muslim clerics associated with the organization. The statement was released 20 days after the detentions began.
The DUM RF stated that the accusations of ties to extremism, radicalism, foreign influence, and incitement of interethnic hostility are baseless. The organization emphasized that attempts to portray the council as a “source of extremism” are aimed at undermining trust between the state and believers.
The statement also emphasizes that the interests of the Muslim community “fully coincide” with those of the state, and that the organization itself pursues a “state-oriented policy.”
At the same time, the DUM of the Russian Federation did not specify what exactly the law enforcement agencies are accusing the detained clerics of.
The first reports of the arrests appeared on May 19. At that time, the former mufti of Karelia, Wisam Ali Bardwil, was detained. According to Russian media reports, up to seven religious figures could be facing prosecution.
According to Kommersant, they are suspected of involvement in the “Muslim Brotherhood,” which is recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia.
Separately, in late May, a Moscow court fined Damir Mukhetdinov, deputy chairman of the Russian Muslim Spiritual Board (DUM), 150,000 rubles under a provision regarding violations of legislation on freedom of religion. He was also charged with inciting hatred.
The Russian Muftis Council is one of the largest Muslim organizations in the country. It was established in 1994, and Mufti Ravil Gainutdin remains its long-standing chairman.
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