Five Crimean Tatars accused of terrorism after religious meeting
The trial of activist Enver Krosh, Crimean Solidarity journalist Vilen Temeryanov and residents of the Dzhankoy district Edem Bekirov, Rinat Aliyev and Seityaga Abbozov began in the Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don. During the court session, the prosecutor read the indictment to the Crimean Tatars, which is based on a single audio recording of a conversation on religious topics. On this basis, they were accused of terrorism.
Political prisoners called the accusations of terrorist activities unfounded. “They denied the accusations in full and called them absurd. This is a long-standing hunt by the security forces for active people who are dressed in anti-terrorism clothes,” said lawyer Emil Kurbedinov.
Crimean Tatars are charged with participation in the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned in the Russian Federation. According to human rights activists, members of the organization are being persecuted not for preparing a coup d'état and terrorism, but for public actions against political repressions in Crimea and systemic criticism of the Russian authorities.
