Moscow resident, mathematician, anarchist. In July 2018, the Telegram channel "Oper Slil" ("Cop has doxed") published photos of detained anarchists with the caption: "And to another arsehole who ran away with a bag with a banner for 'social activism' inside, we send a special greeting! Azat Miftakhov, wait for us to visit you". The next time Miftakhov's photo appeared in the same channel was in January 2019 with the caption "We warned you - stop doing nonsense." On 18 January, Miftakhov said that a search was conducted at his MSU dormitory while he himself was not there. On 1 February, he was detained after a search as part of the case of preparation of an explosion in Balashikha in January 2018. Miftakhov's whereabouts were concealed from his lawyer for more than a day, he later reported that he was tortured. ONC members confirmed that Miftakhov's body showed signs of torture. The court refused to choose a measure of restriction for Miftakhov and only extended the period of detention. On 7 February, Miftakhov was released, but then was immediately detained on charges of the attack on the United Russia office in January 2019. The confidential witness said he recognised Miftakhov by his "expressive eyebrows", but could not name what Miftakhov was wearing and did not recall the other defendants in the case. In addition, the man explained that he had not reported the offence for a year because first his phone ran out of battery and after that he was unable to do so. According to the witness, he decided to contact the police after the media reported about Miftakhov's detention. On 12 February, the court decided to take Miftakhov into custody.

Earlier, the case of the attack on the United Russia office in Khovrino district was qualified as an act of vandalism, but a new version of the charges was pressed against Miftakhov - under the article on hooliganism committed by a group.

On 18 January 2021, he was sentenced to six years in a general regime penal colony. On 21 April 2022, the court of cassation reduced the sentence by three months.

In February 2023, a new criminal case against Miftakhov was launched in connection with the Moscow cell of the "Set'" ("Network") movement (11 people were convicted in the cases of the Penza and St. Petersburg cells of the movement, later recognised as a terrorist organisation). In August, it became known that a case of public justification of terrorism was brought against Miftakhov.

On 4 September 2023, the day of his release from the colony, Miftakhov was detained on a new case and taken to Kirov.

In September, it became known that the ECHR awarded Miftakhov compensation of 26 thousand euros because of the use of violence against him during his detention in 2019.

On 28 March 2024, Miftakhov was sentenced to four years in a strict regime penal colony.

In April 2024, it became known that Miftakhov was not receiving the necessary antidepressants in the pre-trial detention centre.

In November 2024, Miftakhov relayed that he was placed in a cell with a person with a severe psychiatric illness who was aggressive towards him.

You can read more about politically persecuted people in the Telegram channel OVD-Info LIVE and our politically motivated criminal prosecutions in Russia database