27 June 2024

Occupants Illegally Fined Emine Zekeriaieva for Correspondence from Seven Years Ago

On June 26, the occupation “court” rendered an unlawful verdict against Emine Zekeriaieva in the case of “failure to report a crime” due to correspondence from seven years ago on the social network VKontakte. This information was provided by Emine Zekeriaieva’s lawyer and human rights activist, Emil Kurbedinov.

The occupiers detained Emine and her husband Asan in 2023. The occupation forces conducted a search of the Zekeriaiev’s house. Subsequently, Emine was accused of communicating with a Ukrainian citizen currently in Syria and a member of an armed group deemed contrary to the interests of the Russian Federation.

The occupation “court” ruled that Zekeriaieva was guilty of violating Article 205.6 of the Russian Criminal Code and imposed a fine of 50 thousand rubles. Ms. Zekeriaieva has not admitted her guilt. The lawyer also highlighted several procedural irregularities during the pre-trial and trial “investigation”, which the occupation “court” failed to address. Emine has two minor children.

The pressure on Zekeriaieva is part of the occupiers’ systematic practice of intimidating Crimean Tatars and strengthening the occupiers’ repressive apparatus. It is only through the de-occupation of Crimea that the rights of the peninsula’s residents, including those of the indigenous people of Ukraine, can be guaranteed.