Crimean Tatar women's pretrial detention extended in Hizb ut-Tahrir case
The pretrial detention of four participants in the "Bakhchisaray women's group" case—Fevziya Osmanova, Elviza Aliyeva, Nasiba Saidova, and Esma Nimetulayeva—has been extended until June 14. This decision was made by the Kyiv District Court of Crimea.
Lawyer Emil Kurbedinov reported that the investigator justified the need for pretrial detention by citing concerns that the defendants could abscond using their Ukrainian citizenship and influence witnesses. The defense maintains that these arguments are mere conjecture. The lawyers insist on an investigation into the legality and validity of the charges, questioning their involvement in "terrorist" activities.
On October 15, 2025, four Crimean Tatar women were detained in the Sevastopol and Bakhchisaray districts: 40-year-old Esma Nimetulayeva, 20-year-old Elviza Aliyeva, 19-year-old Nasiba Saidova, and 21-year-old Fevziye Osmanova. They were accused of involvement in the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir. It is designated a terrorist organization in Russia but operates legally in most countries. During the searches, security forces found banned books. The women's relatives claim the literature was planted.
This is the first Hizb ut-Tahrir-related case opened in Crimea against women. Human rights activists link the criminal prosecution of Crimean Tatars to their civic stance and protests against repression.
