Crimean Tatar political prisoner complains of health problems and psychological pressure in the colony
Crimean Tatar journalist Remzi Bekirov, serving his sentence in IK-№33 in Khakassia, has lost 15 kilograms. For the first time in six years of imprisonment, he was able to see his wife and children.
“Food with pork, which he is forced to refuse, and the ban on approaching the bed during the daytime - all this affects Remzi’s health. But the psychological pressure from the colony staff has an even greater effect on him. They are constantly trying to suppress him morally,” said the prisoner’s wife, Khalide Bekirova.
Since August, Remzi Bekirov has been placed in a punishment cell, and in October he was transferred to strict conditions of detention. According to his wife, this happens because of namaz at night or because he did not greet a colony employee or did not put on a hat.
Earlier, the Federal Penitentiary Service refused to transfer Remzi Bekirov from Khakassia to a colony closer to his home in Crimea for the fifth time.
“Each time I get refusals for various reasons. They finally made it clear that they would not transfer me closer to home. And 5,300 kilometers is very far for us. It will be very difficult to go on visits with children,” said the Crimean Tatar’s wife.
In March 2022, the Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don sentenced Remzi Bekirov to 19 years in prison. He was found guilty of participating in the Islamic party Hiz ut-Tahrir, which is recognized as a terrorist organization in the Russian Federation.
