Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has commented on Armenia’s plans to begin preparing an application to join the European Union, saying Yerevan would ultimately fail to secure EU membership but could seriously damage its relations with Russia and other members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Crimean Tatar Ansar Osmanov, sentenced to 20 years, is being transferred from the Novocherkassk pretrial detention center in the Rostov region to a prison in Vladimir.
In 2023, the man was found guilty under articles on organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and preparing for the violent seizure of power. He is accused of participating in the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has been banned in Russia since 2003.
Before his imprisonment, Osmanov worked as a woodcarver, was a member of the Crimean Solidarity movement, and an active visitor to courts on politically motivated cases.
Hizb ut-Tahrir operates without restrictions in Ukraine and most countries of the world. According to human rights activists, members of the organization are persecuted for criticizing the authorities and public actions against political repression in Crimea.