On Monday, September 12 a court in Omutninsk denied Azat Miftakhov an early conditional release on parole. The correctional colony administration gave Azat a negative recommendation.
The colony authorities recently gave Azat a formal reprimand, on a manufactured charge of supposedly violating a rule about the number and size of photographs he is allowed to keep.
Prior to the court hearing the colony authorities also had Azat complete a lengthy psychological evaluation questionnaire, which is standard practice when they are trying to sink a prisoner’s chance for parole.
After this court decision Azat is expected to remain in the prison colony for another year, until September 5, 2023.
On the same day a different court, in Chelyabinsk, declared the Russian anarchist movement “People’s self-defense” a ‘terrorist organization’ and banned it throughout Russia. Azat had been formally accused by the FSB of being associated with “People’s self-defense”.
The Azat Miftakhov Committee continues to call for Azat Miftakhov’s immediate release from prison, so that he can resume his mathematical studies and research.
The case of Azat Miftakhov 