Several Muslim religious leaders have been detained in Russia
Russian media have reported the detention of at least two representatives of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims. According to Russian media reports, those detained include the former Mufti of Karelia, Visam Ali Bardvil, and the Mufti of Mordovia, Rail Asainov.
In Russia, security forces have detained at least two representatives of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims. This was reported on May 21 by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing local sources and state media. According to the TASS news agency, former Mufti of Karelia Visam Ali Bardvil was arrested and detained for 15 days. Russian security forces claim the incident occurred at Sheremetyevo Airport.
According to the Russian police, Bardvil allegedly “refused to provide documents” and resisted arrest. He is charged with disobeying law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, in Mordovia, Mufti Rail-hazrat Asainov was detained. This was reported by the local branch of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims.
The deputy mufti stated that Asainov is suspected of bribing the head of the master’s program at Mordovia State University. Investigators claim that the bribe was intended to help students during their exams. At the same time, pro-government Russian Telegram channels began reporting on mass detentions of Muslim figures in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov, and Mordovia.
Among those mentioned by the media are Mohammed Henni, head of the “Northwest Muslim Community,” and El-Hikh Nidal Awadallah Ahmed, an advisor to the mufti of the Saratov region.
Russian authorities have not officially confirmed the large-scale special operation. At the same time, Telegram channels claim that the inspections may be linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. All of the detained or mentioned religious figures are affiliated with the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, led by Ravil Gainutdin.
In recent years, conflicts have repeatedly arisen between the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia and the Russian authorities. One of the most high-profile incidents involved a fatwa on polygamy, which sparked a sharp reaction in Russian political circles.
In addition, Russian courts have previously designated certain Islamic materials published by organizations affiliated with the Spiritual Administration as extremist. So far, there have been no official statements from Ravil Gainutdin himself regarding the new detentions.
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