30 January 2025
Ukraine Investigates Over 300 Cases of Illegal Arrests and Searches in Crimea
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are conducting more than 300 criminal investigations related to illegal detentions and searches carried out by Russian occupying forces in the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula. This information was reported by the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. According to the obtained data, the primary victims of such persecutions are Crimean Tatars, who are subjected to systematic pressure by the occupying regime.
The crimes committed by the occupying administration are classified under Articles 146 and 162 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which establish liability for illegal deprivation of freedom and unlawful entry into residential premises. Additionally, 112 documented cases of violations of the laws and customs of war (Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) have been recorded, specifically concerning the unlawful imprisonment of Ukrainian citizens.
To date, 18 indictments have already been submitted to the court: five against officers of the occupying law enforcement structures and thirteen against so-called “judges” and “prosecutors” who have participated in the persecution of Crimean residents.
The Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea emphasizes that the Russian Federation systematically violates international law, particularly Article 51 of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the forced conscription of residents from occupied territories into the armed forces of the occupying state. Despite this, the occupying administration in Crimea has already forcibly or coercively conscripted at least 34,000 Crimean residents into Russian military service.
“The occupying state uses repression as a tool of intimidation. We document every case and are working to ensure that all individuals responsible for crimes against Ukrainian citizens are held accountable,” the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea stated.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies continue systematically documenting war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, meticulously collecting evidence of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. The gathered materials are being transmitted to the International Criminal Court, the European Court of Human Rights, and other international institutions authorized to adjudicate crimes committed under conditions of occupation.