Held in custody since 7 November 2012 due to alleged involvement in the Islamist party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has no links to terrorism. Charged with participating in the activities of an extremist organisation, preparation for violent seizure of power and illegal possession of explosives. He pleaded guilty in part. He explained that he was indeed a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, for which he had previously served a prison sentence in Tajikistan. He continued his involvement with the organisation in Moscow, fully aware that it was banned. He was engaged in educational work, believed that the establishment of a Caliphate should've taken place within Islamic countries, excluding Russia. Claimed that the explosives seized during the search were planted on him. On 30 June 2014, he was sentenced to seven years in a strict regime penal colony. On 11 December 2014, the court of appeal upheld the verdict.

While in custody, he was charged with participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation based on the statement of another inmate, who claimed that Rakhmonkhodzhaev persuaded him to go to jihad and that he himself intended to drown the entire population of the Vologda region in a reservoir. On 13 December 2018, he was sentenced to 14 and a half years in a special regime penal colony.

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