Crimean Tatar political prisoner transferred to Omsk penal colony for two months

57-year-old Crimean political prisoner Yashar Muedinov was transferred to Omsk Penal Colony No. 9, although his return to a penal colony in the Arkhangelsk region was previously planned. The reasons for this transfer are not specified.

As a reminder, at the end of 2025, Muedinov was transferred from Penal Colony No. 5 to a local Arkhangelsk pretrial detention center, with his family informed that he would be returned to the penal colony in two weeks. However, this did not happen. On January 22 of this year, Muedinov informed his family that he was in Yaroslavl and was being transferred further, without specifying his final destination.

For over a month, his relatives were unaware of Yashar Muedinov's whereabouts. After contacting the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Arkhangelsk region, it was discovered that he had ended up in a remote penal colony in Omsk.

In 2022, a Crimean Tatar was sentenced to 13 years in prison. According to lawyer Lili Gemedzhi, the secret witnesses in the case, who testified under pseudonyms, were not acquainted with the defendant. The defense attempted to prove the charges were unfounded.

The political prisoner was accused of terrorist activity and an attempt to seize power. He pleaded not guilty and believes his prosecution is politically motivated, as he criticized the Russian and Crimean authorities after the peninsula's annexation by Russia.

Последние новости
Kazakhstan will not grant asylum to Mansur Movlaev, who is wanted by Russia
Human rights
Kazakhstan will not grant asylum to Mansur Movlaev, who is wanted by Russia
27 February 2026

A Kazakh court in Akmola Oblast has rejected Chechen activist Mansur Movlaev's claim challenging his asylum denial. The court found that the denial of refugee status does not lead to extradition to Russia, and his lawyers failed to provide convincing evidence of a threat to Movlaev's life in his home country.

Crimean Tatar political prisoner transferred to Omsk penal colony for two months
Human rights
Crimean Tatar political prisoner transferred to Omsk penal colony for two months
27 February 2026

57-year-old Crimean political prisoner Yashar Muedinov was transferred to Omsk Penal Colony No. 9, although his return to a penal colony in the Arkhangelsk region was previously planned. The reasons for this transfer are not specified.

A memorial plaque has been reinstalled on Anna Politkovskaya's house
Human rights
A memorial plaque has been reinstalled on Anna Politkovskaya's house
27 February 2026

A memorial plaque has been reinstalled on the house where journalist Anna Politkovskaya died, installed by activists who also brought flowers. This is the 24th attempt to restore the memorial on Lesnaya Street, which is constantly torn down.

The EU may end visa-free travel for Georgian citizens due to its government's policies
Politics
The EU may end visa-free travel for Georgian citizens due to its government's policies
27 February 2026

The European Union may completely halt visa-free travel for Georgia, stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In a letter to the Georgian opposition, she stated that if the Georgian government does not change its policy, EU authorities may suspend visa-free travel for all Georgian citizens. Currently, only holders of Georgian diplomatic passports are excluded from visa-free travel.