A court in Crimea approved the extension of the arrest until May 3 for those involved in the “second Dzhankoy” group, Ekrem Krosh, Aider Asanov, Leman Zekeryaev, Osman Abdurazakov and Refat Seidametov. Previously, Crimean Tatars were transferred from the Simferopol pre-trial detention center to the Rostov-on-Don detention center.

The men are accused of participating in the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was recognized by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation as a “terrorist organization.” At the same time, it operates freely on the territory of Ukraine and most countries of the world. According to human rights activists, members of the organization are being persecuted not for preparing a coup and terrorism, but for public actions against political repression in Crimea and criticism of the Russian authorities.

In total, Memorial recognized 280 persons involved in cases of involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir as political prisoners.