Xinjiang Imam Sentenced to 10 Years, Disabled Son Seeks Help from Prison

Imam Halimiti Cheger stands in front of the mosque in Toli County, Tacheng, Xinjiang, alongside his wife. (Photo provided by Atazhurte)

[People News] Imam Halimiti Cheger, who has been detained for several years, is experiencing a severe decline in health. His son has stated that his father has lost sensation below the waist and can only move with the aid of a wheelchair. The family is actively submitting testimonies and videos seeking assistance to overseas human rights organizations, hoping to raise awareness about his health and circumstances.

As reported by Radio Free Asia, Halimiti Cheger's son, Aiypkul Kalymet, mentioned in his statement that he is currently in the United States and had previously sought help for his father while in Kazakhstan. His father was arrested in the fall of 2017 and initially sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2018, but this was later reduced to 10 years. He is still serving his sentence in a prison run by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In his testimony, he said in Kazakh: "My father Halimiti Cheger was born in 1958 in Toli County, Tacheng region of Xinjiang. Since 1990, he has been the chief imam of the mosque in Toli County. In 2018, the authorities held a secret trial for my father, not allowing any relatives or family members to attend."

Previously Authorized to Train Imams

Ayi Fu Huli reported that his father has served as a representative of the county's People's Congress since 1991, attending regional meetings on behalf of Toli County each year. Among the seven counties and cities in the Tacheng region, his father received special permission in Toli County to recruit students, teach religious knowledge, and train imams. These activities had previously been formally approved by the relevant authorities.

Tilek Niyazbek, a core member of the Atazhur Volunteer Organization currently living in New York, USA, shared with this station that Halimiti Cheger was detained after being allowed to conduct religious activities in Xinjiang for many years. His son, Ayi Fu Huli, has consistently expressed concern for his father's safety while imprisoned.

Tilek stated, "Even though he lives in the United States, his heart remains in Xinjiang. He is suffering, worrying every day about his father who is imprisoned in Xinjiang."

Son Claims Secret Trial Held Without Family Present

Ayi Fu Huli recounted that in the fall of 2017, his father was arrested without any justification and subsequently detained in a camp. The following year, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison during a secret trial that family members could not attend. Ayi Fu Huli noted that his father's sentence was later reduced from 18 years to 10 years.

In 2017, numerous locations in Xinjiang established what were termed "re-education camps" or "education camps," which the Chinese Communist government referred to as "vocational skills education training centers." These facilities have drawn significant attention from both domestic and international media and human rights organizations. A human rights assessment of Xinjiang released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2022 indicated that, at least between 2017 and 2019, Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minority groups faced large-scale arbitrary detention.

A family photo taken in front of the mosque in Toli County, Tacheng, Xinjiang, featuring Imam Halimiti Chegel. 

This family photo was provided by Atajurt. 

Health Deteriorating in Prison, Now Confined to a Wheelchair. 

Aiyfuhuli reported that his father is still imprisoned in the Tacheng region of Xinjiang and has lost sensation below the waist, relying solely on a wheelchair for mobility. Although his sentence has been shortened, his father's health remains a primary concern for the family seeking assistance. 

Our station has not been able to obtain relevant medical records, making it impossible to independently verify his health condition, the cause of his disability, or his treatment. The reporter attempted to contact the office of the director of the Tacheng region's judicial bureau, but there was no response. 

Eldest Son Deceased, Wife Afraid to Reach Out. 

According to materials provided by the Kazakh human rights organization 'Atajurt Volunteers,' after Halimiti's arrest, his eldest son Rakhmankul Kalmet was also subjected to repeated questioning, detention, and intimidation. Aiyfuhuli stated that, to his knowledge, the authorities pressured his brother to provide a list of all individuals with religious beliefs in Toli County. 

In his statement, Aiyfuhuli wrote: 'After enduring high-pressure interrogations, my previously strong and healthy brother passed away.' His brother died in 2018 at the young age of 34. Aiyfuhuli connects his brother's death to the repeated interrogations and intimidation, but the materials provided do not include a death certificate, medical records, or investigation conclusions, leaving the cause of death undetermined.

Halimiti's wife, Haierlis Muhammadjiang, remains in China. Aiyifuhuli stated that her mother's passport has been seized by the Chinese Communist authorities, preventing her from leaving the country. She is afraid to reach out to him in the United States or even make a phone call, as she fears that any contact could lead to her imprisonment. △