Crimean Tatar political prisoner transported to a colony 8,000 kilometers from home

Lenur Seidametov, a Crimean Tatar sentenced to 13 years, was transferred from a prison in the Lipetsk region to IK-3 in the Amur region. The colony is located more than 8,000 kilometers from Crimea.

According to Seidametov's wife, he is given pork in prison, which is why he is forced to eat Doshirak. The Crimean Tatar was arrested in February 2021. A year later, the court sentenced him to 13 years in prison. The man was found guilty of participating in the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir (recognized as banned in the Russian Federation) and preparing for an armed seizure of power. Since January 2023, Seidametov has been in the Yelets prison in the Lipetsk region.

Lenur Seidametov reported hearing loss in one ear, pain in the knee joint, problems with the lower spine.

Human rights activists note that party members are sentenced to real terms only on the basis that they met in apartments, read religious literature and recruited new members.

Последние новости
Georgia has passed a bill banning protests
Politics
Georgia has passed a bill banning protests "in places where people are moving" without notifying the police
10 December 2025

The Georgian Parliament has expeditiously passed a bill in its third and final reading requiring organizers of protests in "places where people gather or where vehicles are moving" (including on sidewalks) to notify the police. The responsible person must contact the Patrol Service Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (located at the location of the demonstration) in writing no later than five days before the rally.

A journalist is being tried in absentia in Azerbaijan on charges of anti-state incitement
Human rights
A journalist is being tried in absentia in Azerbaijan on charges of anti-state incitement
10 December 2025

The trial of Ganimat Zahid, editor-in-chief of the Azadliq (Freedom) newspaper, who resides in France, has begun in Baku. The journalist denies the charges of anti-state incitement, viewing the criminal case as persecution for his professional activities.

An opposition activist was attacked in Armenia
Human rights
An opposition activist was attacked in Armenia
10 December 2025

Opposition activist and former Republican Party MP Mihran Hakobyan was attacked in Yerevan. Unknown masked assailants attacked him near a shopping center. Authorities have opened a criminal case for causing moderate bodily harm by a group of individuals motivated by hooliganism.

Russia and Azerbaijan are among the world's leading countries in the number of journalists arrested and convicted
Human rights
Russia and Azerbaijan are among the world's leading countries in the number of journalists arrested and convicted
10 December 2025

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a report covering the period from December 2024 to December 2025, providing data on the state of press freedom worldwide. Currently, 503 journalists are held in prison worldwide.