Ahmetjan Juma
艾合麦提江 · 居麦
Assumed Location
Prison
Suspected Reasons for Arrest or Detention
Nature of work, family member abroad, contact with family member abroad, precedent with police
Official Reason for Arrest or Detention
“"Having sensitive content at home"”
Last Contact
May 2017
Ahmetjan was a high school teacher who was taken from his home in Kashgar’s Konasheher County in May 2017 and has been detained since then. His brother now living in the USA told Amnesty International that he was able to speak with the local police in Konashahar county in early 2021, over the phone. During the call, the local police confirmed that Ahmetjan was sentenced to 14 years in prison for “having sensitive content at home”. No other details were shared. Ahmetjan’s brother believes that the real and main reasons for the arrest are linked to Ahmetjan’s previous record of detention, his brother’s job with Radio Free Asia in the USA, and the fact that Ahmetjan was a Uyghur intellectual who published and translated many books. It seems that family members in Xinjiang have been able to get in touch with Ahmetjan, but it is unclear whether he has access to a lawyer of his choice.
Personal Details
Ahmetjan is described as very loving and a humble father who likes reading, writing and playing music. His brother said he is a beautiful person with great leadership qualities.
Date of Birth
10 May 1974
Ethnicity
Uyghur
Hometown
Kashgar
Profession
High school teacher, author, editor
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