16 July 2024

The Occupiers Illegally Transferred Political Prisoner Riza Omerov to a Colony in the Chuvash Republic of Russia

The occupants illegally transferred political prisoner Riza Omerov to a colony in the Chuvash Republic of the Russian Federation. His wife, Sevilia Omerova, reported the unlawful transportation.

He called his wife via the prison connection. She said that she had not been able to communicate with her husband since December 2023:

“Six months later, I heard Riza’s voice. The last time we had any calls was in December. First, he asked about the health of my children, my parents, and my health. He was distraught and anxious. He greets everyone and the public, hoping to return soon and meet everyone.”

The Russian occupiers detained the Crimean Tatar on June 10, 2019, after a search of his home. On January 12, 2020, a Russian court reached a guilty verdict of Riza Omerov for allegedly “participating in the activities of a terrorist organization” and sentenced him to 13 years in prison. 

In 2019, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on Russia to release all Ukrainian political prisoners, including Riza Omerov.