Press Release
Intelligence Services Iniquity against Muslims Grows

18 January 2013, two Muslims, named Shahzod Salimov, born 1986, and Rahmatulloh Mahmudov, born 1988, were abducted from one of Moscow's mosques situated on Bolshaya Tatarskaya Street after Friday's Jum'aa prayer. Later on, one of them by phone informed his friend that they have been delayed by FSB officers. He notified that he had received a prosecution by Article 282 Part 1 from the Russian Criminal Code.

Even though 10 days have passed since that Friday, their whereabouts still remain unknown.

In contrast, the Intelligence Services officers deny the detention of these young Muslims. This proves that the series of abductions of foreign national Muslims continues in Russia. Circumstances connected with the disappearance of Shahzod Salimov and Rahmatullo Mahmud is very similar with the disappearance of Yusup Qasimhunov who disappeared from his rented apartment on 14 December 2012 whose whereabouts have yet to be known.

The Russian Intelligence Services and the Middle Asian countries have resorted to extrajudicial methods of abductions without any arrest warrant or investigation against members of Hizb ut Tahrir. The reasons for such actions are the disclosure of fake prosecutions in terrorism and extremism against Hizb ut Tahrir. It is clear to everyone the criminal cases brought against these Muslims who love their religion are instances of entrapment.

Also, the desire for the Russian Intelligence to conceal their venom and outrage against Islam and Muslims, and to conceal illegal acts following false criminal proceedings against Hizb ut Tahrir members, and unfair judgments imposed upon them, is the driving force for their thug-like methods.

The Intelligence Services expect the abductions of Muslims and denial of these crimes will hide their malicious attacks against Muslims. They assume that they will be able to frighten sincere Dawah carriers and stop the spread of Islam throughout post-Soviet areas.

In conclusion, we say they are blinded by their blind arrogance! They remain ignorant or ignore the fact that the Islamic Aqeedah is instilled in the hearts of its followers with courage and heroism, that they simply encourage and strengthen Dawah carriers in their sincere call to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

(ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدۡ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱخۡشَوۡهُمۡ فَزَادَهُمۡ إِيمَـٰنً۬ا وَقَالُواْ حَسۡبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡوَڪِيلُ ﴿١٧٣﴾ فَٱنقَلَبُواْ بِنِعۡمَةٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضۡلٍ۬ لَّمۡ يَمۡسَسۡہُمۡ سُوٓءٌ۬ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ رِضۡوَٲنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ ۗوَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَظِيمٍ )

"Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs." So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty." [3:173,174]

The Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Russia