Update on the situation with illegal searches and detentions of Crimean Tatar activists and religious leaders in occupied Crimea

Early this morning, occupation forces searched 10 houses of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchysarai, Dzhankoi and Dzhankoi district of occupied Crimea.

In general, after the illegal searches, Remzi Kurtnezirov, Nariman Ametov, Enver Khalilayev, Arsen Kashka, Ali Mamutov, Vahid Mustafayev, Mustafa Abduramanov, Memet Lumanov, Aziz Azizov and Rustem Osmanov were detained. According to preliminary information from the lawyers, all Crimean Tatars are illegally charged under “article” 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (organization of a terrorist organization and participation in the activities of such an organization).

Remzi Kurtnezirov is a former imam of a mosque in the Lobanove village, who has recently stopped conducting religious rites for health reasons. In 2017, Remzi Kurtnezirov suffered 3 strokes, has type II diabetes, suffers from high blood pressure, and the right side of his body does not work. The Crimean Tatar has a group II disability and is in postoperative condition after skull trepanation.

Arsen Kashka regularly attended court hearings in politically motivated cases, supported the families of political prisoners, participated in flash mobs and helped to carry out transfers to places of detention. He also took an active part in organizing iftar and festive events.

Vakhid Mustafayev is the current imam at the Lobanove mosque.

Enver Khalilayev – took an active part in organizing iftar and festive events.

Memet Lumanov, Aziz Azizov, Rustem Osmanov and Mustafa Abduramanov – activists who regularly attended court hearings and helped the families of Crimean political prisoners. All four were previously detained by law enforcement agencies and illegally brought to administrative responsibility for expressing solidarity with their convicted co-religionists.

The occupation “court” imposed a pre-trial restraint on Crimean Solidarity journalist Rustem Osmanov and detainees from Bakhchisarai Memet Lumanov, Aziz Azizov, Rustem Osmanov and Mustafa Abduramanov. The “court” ordered their illegal arrest until May 4, 2024.

According to lawyer Edem Semedlyayev, the detainees do not agree with the “court’s” decision and will appeal it. The occupiers have been keeping our citizens on their feet since 4 am and do not even let them eat. Now they will be sent to the occupation SIZO-2 in Simferopol, where they will be held during the investigation.

We draw the attention of the international community, in particular leaders and parliaments of foreign countries, human rights defenders and journalists, to the illegal detentions and arrests of Ukrainian citizens and call for increased pressure on Russia and the speedy de-occupation of Crimea. Ignoring this problem, the terrorist state will continue to implement its occupation practices of repression, illegal searches and detentions of civilians. 

Only the liberation of all Ukrainian territories will ensure security and freedom for our citizens and stop the arbitrariness of the occupiers, which they are testing the entire democratic world with.