Arrests of Muslim leaders in Russia linked to loyalty push

Arrests sweep Russian Muslim leaders in apparent federal push to force loyalty demonstrations to Kremlin

In May, reports emerged from multiple regions of Russia about the detention and arrest of muftis and other Muslim religious and civic figures. Some of them face terrorism charges — specifically, alleged cooperation with the Muslim Brotherhood. Political scientists specializing in Islam, independent journalists, and pro-Kremlin bloggers have described the wave of persecution as the security services’ campaign against the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (DUM) of Russia and its leader, Mufti...