A new controversy has started around the arrest of one Muslim religious leader in Russia. Russian authorities claim that the move is based on various allegations of corruption, lawlessness, extremism and security. However, according to some analysts, the Kremlin is trying to tighten its control over the Muslim religious leadership.
In May this year, Russian security forces arrested eight Muslim religious leaders. However, one of them was later released. Among those arrested was Wissam Birdville, a Muslim scholar from Karelia. According to a Russian news report, he was arrested for misbehaving with police at Sheremetyevo airport. He was sentenced to 15 days imprisonment. Later, Birdville’s assistant, Akhmad Tangiyev, was also arrested by Russian security forces. On the other hand, on May 19, the prominent religious leader of the Russian Republic of Mordovia, Royal Asenov, was caught by the police on charges of asking for bribe. Many others are also on the arrest list.
But is there any other motive behind this arrest? Russian officials say the arrests are part of an investigation into multiple allegations of law-breaking, corruption and security. But according to some analysts, the Kremlin is actually trying to tighten its control over the Muslim religious leadership. Russia has always viewed extremist Islamist groups as a security risk. As a result, controlling them will make it easier to prevent extremism. A large part of Russia’s population is Muslim. Especially in the North Caucasus, regions like Tatarstan are predominantly Muslim. The influence of Muslim religious leaders is also high in these regions. Therefore, the Russian administration wants them not to go into conflict with the state policy. Not only that, but according to some analysts, the Kremlin wants to give more importance to religious leaders who support the government.
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