New Report by “Memorial” “Russian Security Agencies Versus ‘Risale-i Nur’”

The new report by the Human Rights Centre “Memorial”, made public in December 2012, features a detailed analysis of the 12-year long persecution against the followers of Said Nursî, a Muslim theologian of Turkish-Kurdish descent.

The report gives graphic examples of how, with the anti-extremist legislation in hand, Russian security and intelligence services could distort information and expert opinions to offer a basis for the unjustified ban on Said Nursî’s books and fabrication of criminal charges. The same was also used to lobby the ban on any further religious activity connected to the circulation and teaching of “Risale-i Nur,” a collection of Qur’anic commentary written by Said Nursî.

The report provides a detailed overview of existing criminal, extradition and civil cases in different Russian regions based on the study of a large body of investigative documents. Cases of illegal restrictions of civil rights of religious followers are noted. Also highlighted are attempts to influence public opinion by spreading false information in the media.

“Memorial” believes that the actions of the Russian intelligence services against groups of those who studied “Risale-i Nur” as well as against other peaceful Islamic communities run contrary to our country’s national and international human rights obligations.

The book closes with the appendix. The documents in the appendix include the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to ban of the “Nurdzhular,” an organization that has never existed. The document has never been published before.

The book is available in Russian in both electronic form as well as in hard copy.