Free Ravil Mingazov
Ravil Mingazov is an innocent Russian citizen who was held without trial or charge in Guantanamo Bay from 2002 to 2017 before being transferred to the UAE where he remains imprisoned without charge.
Take Action NOW
CAGE International is an independent advocacy organisation that aspires to a just world. We challenge War on Terror inspired state oppression and empower communities to dismantle the discourse and policies of the global War on Terror.
Media and Resources
Insights from our investigations and research
What Imams and survivors say about us?
“CAGE is like Al Mu’tasim for me. They hear the cry of injustice and they respond. I ask everyone to donate to CAGE whatever you can; because they stood by me when no one did.”
Sister Maryam
“It might be better than supporting 10 da’is or scholars because they cannot do their job properly without an organisation that protects Islam and Muslims."
Shaykh Dr Haitham Al Haddad
"Torture survivor Ali Al-Marri: “I encourage you very highly to support our brothers at CAGE whom have supported me, and without Allah’s support and theirs I would have never been able to try and get my Justice from the ones who tortured me.”
Ali Al-Marri
“I extend my heartfelt thanks and support for the work of CAGE on behalf of all men and women detained without charge or trial in Guantanamo and the secret prisons. Your work is truly inspirational”.
Sami Al-Hajj
“I believe CAGE deserves to put up a signboard and write on it, honour bound to defend freedom.”
Faiz Al-Kandari
"CAGE’s work is a reminder to us all that indifference or neutrality to injustice is never an option, that the empathic disconnect in remaining silent to another's suffering is too heavy a burden for us all to bear.”
Dr Uthman Lateef
Stand with those demanding justice
Your support strengthens communities fighting for accountability and change
Dear Ms Kaidanow
I am writing to you as a concerned citizen who has been made aware of Ravil Mingazovs case. He is a Russian Tartar citizen who was held unlawfully in US custody in Bagram and Guantanamo for 15 years where he faced torture and abuse.
Despite the lengthy time he spent in Guantanamo Bay, he was never charged with a crime and was never designated for trial. When he was set to be released from Guantanamo Bay, he was given the option of returning to Russia which he had to refuse based on the risk of harm and persecution he would face upon returning there. He had heard about other Guantanamo Bay prisoners who returned to Russia who were subjected to abuse, arbitrary detention and one was even killed extrajudicially by the Russian security services. In 2017 Ravil was transferred to the UAE with an understanding that he would be resettled there and be able to rebuild his life.
This unfortunately didnt happen, and Ravils arbitrary detention and torture has only increased and he has been in solitary confinement in the UAE for over 6 years. He has been denied legal representation and has had limited contact to his family, they have only seen him once in the last 3 years. Ravils son, Yusuf, does not remember meeting his father as he was so young when he was taken from him, and has only managed short phone calls of a few minutes during his detention in the UAE.
Of the 23 former Guantanamo prisoners sent to the UAE, Ravil is the only one who remains in custody and he must be freed immediately. Many who have been freed have described the conditions within prisons in the UAE as far worse than Guantanamo, one Afghan who was detained there for 4 years said Ive faced many prisons, but the worst was our stay in the UAE.
The US are responsible for the conditions Ravil is facing currently, and he has suffered 6 years in breach of non-refoulement in the UAE and faces further risk of torture and abuse as they are trying to send him back to Russia. As a state that has been accused of war crimes in Ukraine, the notion that Ravil could be sent there with tacit approval by the US government would result in Ravils detention and further abuse.
The UN recently suggested that the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo is a crime against humanity. Ravils ongoing imprisonment is a clear continuation of that crime. As the senior representative of Guantanamo Affairs and overseeing detainee transfers, I am requesting your urgent intervention in Ravils case, to ensure he is relocated to a state where he will be free and safe and will be able to reunite with his son, who is a UK citizen and resident.
I hope to hear from you regarding this.
Yours sincerely
