An open letter in support of granting political asylum to Raushan Gizatullin
We, representatives of national movements, public organizations, civil initiatives, democratic associations and governments in exile, urgently request that political asylum be granted to Raushan Ildarovich Gizatullin, born May 29, 1979, an ethnic Tatar and citizen of the Russian Federation.
Raushan Gizatullin has been an active participant in the Tatar national movement since 2015 and collaborates with the All-Tatar Public Center. In 2016, he joined the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile.
His main focus was protecting the linguistic, cultural, and political rights of the Tatar people. He opposed the abolition of compulsory Tatar language instruction in Tatarstan schools. He participated in peaceful memorial events commemorating the defenders of Kazan in 1552, which were banned by the republic’s authorities. He also participated in anti-government protests near the Kazan Kremlin. Participants in these protests were persecuted.
In 2021, Mr. Gizatullin was forced to leave Russia due to pressure and torture by the FSB.
Since then, he has continued his peaceful human rights work abroad. From 2022 to 2024, he participated in events organized by the All-Tatar Public Center in Antalya.
As of today, Raushan Gizatullin’s return to the Russian Federation is impossible and life-threatening.
The Russian authorities have designated the All-Tatar Public Center and the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile as “terrorist organizations.” As of 2026, Mr. Gizatullin serves as the official representative of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile in the Free State of Bavaria.
Under Russian anti-terrorism legislation, he faces criminal prosecution and up to 20 years in prison solely for his peaceful political activities.
Furthermore, Mr. Gizatullin has publicly and repeatedly condemned Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Given the ongoing repression of anti-war activists, he faces arrest, torture, and a long prison sentence.
As an ethnic Tatar, he is also at high risk of forced conscription into the Russian Armed Forces, despite his categorical opposition to the war.
Raushan Gizatullin’s deportation to Russia will mean inevitable criminal prosecution for political reasons.
In connection with the above, guided by the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, we urgently request the authorities of the Free State of Bavaria, Federal Republic of Germany to grant Mr. Raushan Ildarovich Gizatullin political asylum and protection.
Sincerely,
1. Rafis Kashapov – Prime Minister of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile
2. Vil Mirzayanov – Honorary Advisor of the PNT in Exile
3. Isa Sadykov – Honorary Consul of the PNT in Exile in Azerbaijan
4. Nafis Kashapov – Deputy Prime Minister of the PNT in exile
5. Marat Akhmerov – Deputy Prime Minister of the PNT in Exile for Legal and Legislative Affairs
6. Zufar Zainullin – PNT Ambassador in exile in the Republic of Latvia
7. Vyacheslav Sivchik – Honorary Consul of the PNT in Exile in Belarus
8. Dmitry Kuznetsov – representative of the PNT in exile in Finland
9. Kamil Sukaev – Ambassador of the PNT in Exile in the USA / Representative of the Free Idel-Ural Movement, New York, USA
10. Baatr Pyurbeev – representative of the PNT in exile for interaction with Mongolian peoples
11. Zilya Usmanova – a PNT activist in exile in the USA
12. Alina Koltsova – a PNT activist in exile in Sweden
Public figures and organizations:
14. Farit Zakiev – Chairman of the All-Tatar Public Center (VTOC)
15. Rizvan Kubakaev – Nogai public figure, publicist
16. Sergei Kryukov – publicist and public figure, France
17. Vladimir Kostenko – public figure, Washington, USA
18. Rosa Kurban – writer, Ankara, Turkey
19. Musa Temishev – journalist, publicist, theorist of the Chechen revolution, who collaborated with the government of Dzhokhar Dudayev, Germany
20. Gennady Shkirya-Banashinsky – human rights activist, Germany
21. Edige Bekmurzaev – “Free – Nogai El”, Turkey
22. Alexander Kosovsky – social activist
23. Tagir Minibaev – social activist, political emigrant, Germany
24. Rakhimya Akhmerova – “Alty Ai”
25. Guzaliya Daudova – Uzbekistan
26. Tatyana Zhuridova – author of the book “Invasion of Crimea. 2014”, Poland
27. Abdullah Türer Yener – Politician, Forum of the World Union of Turks, Istanbul, Turkey
28. Grigory Bondarchuk – journalist of the National News Agency of Ukraine – Ukrinform
29. Bulat Sayfutdinov – Candidate of Chemical Sciences, member of the Council of Tatars of the World (“Tatar Shurasy”)
30. Andrey Sidelnikov is the leader of the international movement “Speak Louder!”
31. Zurtan Khaltarov – Buryat Republican Center, Warsaw
32. Piotr Chlebovich – anti-communist opposition figure in the Polish People’s Republic, co-chairman of the AVO “Fighting Solidarity”, Poland
33. Oles Shevchenko – Chairman of the Kiev Association of Political Prisoners and Repressed, Ukraine
34. Matviy Bondar – Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN)
35. Dmytro Vlasov – National Liberation Movement “Seversky Krai”
36. Mikita Bozhenko – a member of the historic club “Khorugva”
37. “ Kaiser ” – Kermanich of the All-Ukrainian Union of Nationalists-Great Powers
38. Nazar Karimov is a member of the historical clubs “Holodny Yar” and “Khanorugva”, the Union of Ukrainian Hydnity and Freedom, PP “People’s Movement of Ukraine”
39. Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Bilotserkivsky (Rostovsky) – pottery worker of the Partnership of Nationalists of Ukraine
40. Erzhan Turgumbay – founder of “Erkіn kazak”, president of the Congress of Indigenous Peoples of Eurasia
41. Hasanboy Burkhanov – leader of the opposition movement “Erkin O’zbekiston” (“Free Uzbekistan”), Germany
42. Irek Garif – head of the Australian Tatar Society “Turan”, Adelaide, Australia
43. Yuri Fedorenkov – public figure, London, UK
44. Ilshat Kinzyabaev is a Bashkir activist and nationalist, a supporter of the decolonization of Russia
45. Khusein Iskhanov – Member of the Parliament of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, head of the Association of Chechen Democrats
46. Enver Sherfiev – civil activist, Vinnitsa, Ukraine
47. Aman Sagidullaev – representative of the Government of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in exile and the Democratic Party “Alga Karakalpakstan”, Norway
48. Farit Mardanov – public figure, VKK, Kazakhstan
49. Gurban Mammadli Jalal oglu – owner and presenter of the AzerFreedom TV channel, lawyer and politician, UK
50. Nikolai Lobachevsky – public figure, New York, USA
51. Aaly Tokombaev – artist, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
52. Khasukha Magamadov – political emigrant, Saint-Lo, France
53. Tatiana Nyberg – Magnitsky Law Initiative, Rome, Italy
54. Alexander Bursanidis – tour guide, publicist, Greece
55. Natalia Sazonova – interior designer, Rome, Italy
56. Farit Abdrakhimov – civil activist, Helsinki, Finland
57. Dmitry Kalashnikov – public figure, Oslo, Norway
58. Nariman Dzhulumbetov – public figure, Astana, Kazakhstan
59. János Borkay , lawyer, Budapest, Hungary
60. Rimma Baranenko – Kherson, Ukraine
61. Nailya Vakhitova – guide, Istanbul, Turkey
62. Vadim Titov – musician, civil activist, political emigrant, New York, USA
63. Nedim Khalilov – public figure, Toronto, Canada
64. Boris Zvyagintsev – artist, Tokyo, Japan
65. Anatoly Dubovik – historian, anarchist, Dnepr, Ukraine
66. Khizir Magomedov – civil activist, political emigrant, Rome, Italy
67. Petimat Tepsayeva – doctor, Bern, Switzerland
68. Sergei Ivanov – civil activist, Sofia, Bulgaria
69. Vitaly Ginzburg – publicist, blogger, member of the FSR and FSGPR
70. NOD “Free Circassia “
71. Movement ” Circassian Agency “
72. Nikita Mazunin – nationalist activist
73. Rostislav Pobedin is a Russian opposition journalist and politician.
Anti-imperial Block of Nations: https://abn.org.ua/en/liberation-movements/an-open-letter-in-support-of-granting-political-asylum-to-raushan-gizatullin/
Anti-imperial Block of Nations: https://abn.org.ua/en/liberation-movements/an-open-letter-in-support-of-granting-political-asylum-to-raushan-gizatullin/
https://tatar-toz.blogspot.com/2026/08/an-open-letter-in-support-of-granting.html
https://kashapov-rafis.livejournal.com/822551.html?newpost=1
https://x.com/Rafis_Kashapov/status/2088646990682784135
