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Issue 29: Detentions on Religious Charges – Memet Réhim and Memet Sidiq

Issue 29: Detentions on Religious Charges – Memet Réhim and Memet Sidiq

World Uyghur Congress, 13 June 2018

According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), state security officers in Shihezi municipality, East Turkestan, detained father-and-son religious leaders Memet Réhim and Memet Sidiq on suspicion of distributing “illegal religious materials.” RFA does not report the precise date of detention, but it appears to have occurred in or around March 2011.

The “illegal religious materials” in question reportedly were electronic Qurans made in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, which the father and son had stored in their home and given to acquaintances as gifts.

RFA did not report the men’s current whereabouts or status. A state security officer confirmed the detentions to RFA but provided no details. Authorities also reportedly denied family members’ request for information on the men’s status.