The military appeal court in Vlasikha confirmed the sentence of four Crimean Tatar political prisoners Dzhebbar Bekirov, Rustem Tairov, Rustem Murasov and Zavur Abdullaev. They were sentenced to terms ranging from 12 to 17 years.
The defendants were found guilty under articles on organizing the activities of a terrorist organization (Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code), preparing to seize power (Article 278 of the Criminal Code) and participation in the activities of a terrorist organization (Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code). They were charged with participation and organization in the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned in Russia, but operating freely in Ukraine and other countries of the world.
In court, political prisoners spoke about the bias and injustice of the authorities, the judicial and law enforcement systems. “All these actions of the security forces under the auspices of the fight against terrorism are actually aimed at suppressing the activities of activists, religious figures and simply persecuting people for their religious or political beliefs,” lawyer Emil Kurbedinov commented on the verdict.
