Mathematics PhD student Azat Miftakhov has been in prison since February 2019 for alleged manufacture of explosives, breaking a political party window, and hooliganism. These charges appear to be based on unreliable testimony. He has been subjected to torture. The government appears to be preparing additional charges to keep him in prison even longer.
March 13, 2023
Tatyana Moskalkova
Human Rights Commissioner for Human Rights
Smolensky Boulevard 19, Building 2
119121 Moscow
Russian Federation
Phone: +7 495 870 41 40
Email: Moskalkova@ombudsmanrf.ru
Dear Dr. Tatyana Moskalkova:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
This communication is in regard to Azat Miftakhov, a Tatar-Russian graduate student in the Department of Theory of Functions and Functional Analysis of Mechanics at Moscow State University. He has been in prison essentially since February 1st, 2019 on charges of alleged manufacture of explosives, breaking an office window of the United Russia party, and of alleged hooliganism.
The Committee is concerned that additional terrorism charges are going to be presented against Miftakhov soon, as evidenced by a recent raid of leftist political groups branded as terrorists by the government. These charges will keep Miftakhov arbitrarily longer in prison and possibly under worse conditions. The Committee is especially concerned by allegations of torture during his detention and the use of false, secret, or deceased witnesses during his trials.
We write to urge you to ensure that Miftakhov is not tortured while in custody and be transferred to less harsh facilities. If new charges are to be posed against him, he must get a new trial where witness testimony meets international standards for fair trials. He must also be provided with adequate physical and mental medical treatment, as well as regular access to family and lawyers of his choosing. If the charges are simply political in origin, he must be released immediately and unconditionally for the sake of the future of mathematics in Russia.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Cc:
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Twitter: @ABlinken