/ / RUSSIAN FEDERATION: IMPRISONED ACTIVIST ALLEGEDLY TORTURED

RUSSIAN FEDERATION: IMPRISONED ACTIVIST ALLEGEDLY TORTURED

UA: 51.26

Only 33 days left to join us and support this case!

Azat Miftakhov has been imprisoned since 2019 on charges widely seen as politically motivated. In April 2026, after transfer to an Arctic penal colony, Azat Miftakhov was reportedly tortured, including through beatings, electric shocks and threats of rape, raising serious concerns about his treatment and that of other prisoners. These allegations of torture must be independently and effectively investigated and those suspected to be responsible held to account in fair trials.

Call on the Russian authorities to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial investigation; guarantee Mr. Miftakhov’s protection from further torture or ill-treatment; and review the legality of his detention.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: July 15, 2026

Here is how you can take action:

Send an email to the Russian authorities
Send a letter to the Russian authorities

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal, email to the Russian authorities, and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by July 15, 2026.

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Sample Letter

Dear Mr. Mityayev,

I write to express concern about the treatment and continued imprisonment of Azat Fanisovich Miftakhov. Since his April 2026 transfer to Penal Colony No. 18 “Polar Owl” (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug), he has reportedly been tortured and otherwise ill-treated, including beatings, electric shocks, and threats of rape, allegedly involving prison staff and inmates acting on their instructions.

Mr. Miftakhov, a mathematician and former postgraduate student at Moscow State University, has been imprisoned since 2019 in proceedings widely viewed as politically motivated. After completing his initial sentence, he was re-arrested in September 2025 and given a further term under “justifying terrorism” provisions, amid similar concerns about the evidence. He has previously reported ill-treatment in custody.

These allegations are grave and must be independently and effectively investigated. Torture is absolutely prohibited under international law, and anyone responsible must be held accountable in fair proceedings.

I urge you to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial investigation; guarantee Mr. Miftakhov’s protection from further torture or ill-treatment; and review the legality of his detention.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

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Step 2

Send your message

Email your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Mityayev Mikhail Arkadyevich, Prosecutor for Supervision of Law Enforcement in Correctional Institutions of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug

No USPS mail delivery to Russia. Please send your letter to the Russian Federation Embassy in the U.S. address below.

[email protected] [email protected]

and

CC: Ambassador Alexander N. Darchiev

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA

2650 Wisconsin Ave NW,

Washington, DC 20007

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

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