Sources reported the arrest of Ingush theologian Akhmed Tangiyev.

Ingush theologian Akhmed Tangiyev, who previously served as deputy mufti of Karelia, was detained by security forces 10 days ago, sources reported, suggesting it was connected to reports of the detention of muftis belonging to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation.

Sources reported the detention of theologian Tangiyev

Ingush theologian and public figure Akhmed Tangiyev was detained by security forces in the village of Bazorkino in the Prigorodny District, Fortanga reported today, citing sources close to him. According to them, the detention took place on May 12, carried out by FSB officers. Tangiyev was taken from his home for questioning to Vladikavkaz, and then to St. Petersburg, where he remains to this day.

"We still don't know what he is accused of." "There is currently virtually no access to Tangiyev," said one of the sources.

From 2008 to 2010, Akhmed Tangiyev served as deputy to the Mufti of Karelia, Visam Ali Bardvil, who was arrested in Moscow a few days ago, and as head of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM). However, Tangiyev had lived in Prigorodny for many years and was involved in public activities. He was the director of the Rassvet cultural and educational center, hosted a spiritual and educational program on the NTRK Ingushetia television channel, and collaborated with the Ingush Ministry of Nationalities, giving lectures and meetings.

"In the last few years, he has not communicated with Bardvil and is no longer a member of the SAM." Tangiyev's relatives hired a lawyer and contacted the investigator to obtain a meeting, but he stated that Akhmed allegedly did not want to speak with a lawyer or any of his relatives," another source added.

Social media reports, among other things, include the detention of Mufti of Mordovia Abdulmalik (Rail) Asainov, former Mufti of Karelia Visam Ali Bardvil, and other associates of Mufti Ravil Gainutdin, Novoye Delo reports.

Gainutdin contacted Putin regarding the bill on collective worship services.

03:19 15.04.2026

Lawyers assess bill banning collective worship services in apartment buildings

If the bill banning collective worship services is passed, many Muslims living in both large cities and southern Russia will face a situation where they will have nowhere to pray, as there are not enough mosques for everyone. This innovation is a violation of citizens' rights.

On May 5, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin outlining the position of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation on draft federal law No. 1149587-8 "On Amendments to Articles 16 and 24 of the Federal Law 'On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations' and Article 17 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation," which prohibits religious events in non-residential premises of apartment buildings and outbuildings adjacent to these buildings.

The head of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation drew Putin's attention to the fact that the adoption of the bill could violate citizens' constitutional rights to freedom of religion, and that imams and religious associations in many regions of Russia have expressed concern about the document. Gainutdin emphasized that Muslims hold collective worship services and rituals of the life cycle of a person and a family, implying the participation of a wide circle of close people:

“For centuries, the functioning of religious communities in Russia has been built on the joint, communal performance of rituals of the life cycle, including in their living quarters,” he said, mentioning that fighters of the Special Military District also take part in prayers, and memorial services are also held for them.

Gainutdin also pointed out the contradiction between the law’s permission to gather at home on holidays and the ban on collective worship services. According to Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, the bill is divisive and hinders the formation of civil unity.

The Chief Mufti drew the attention of the President of Russia to the shortage of Muslim places of worship and outlined the problem of the lack of Islamic infrastructure in Russian regions. “In Moscow and many other regions of the Russian Federation, there is a serious shortage of premises for Muslims to carry out their religious "Obligatory prayers. Meanwhile, requests from religious organizations to state and local government bodies for land allocation for the construction of religious buildings, cultural centers, and prayer spaces are largely ignored. Believers are forced to use residential and non-residential premises for prayer," he said, as quoted on the website of the Council of Muftis of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation.