Memorial Human Rights Center recognizes five Crimean Tatars as political prisoners

The Memorial Human Rights Center recognized five Crimean Tatars as political prisoners: Enver Krosh, Rinat Aliyev, Seityaga Abbozov, Edem Bekirov and Vilen Temeryanov. This was reported on the official website of the organization. All five are accused of involvement in the activities of the Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami party, banned in the Russian Federation. Men face lengthy prison terms under "terrorist" articles for talking about religious topics in 2015.

Human rights activists claim that the criminal case of Krosh, Aliyev, Abbozov, Bekirov and Temeryanov violates their rights to freedom of religion, freedom of association and a fair trial, and demand an end to their persecution.

Enver Krosh, Rinat Aliyev, Seityaga Abbozov, Edem Bekirov and Vilen Temeryanov are Crimean Tatar civic activists from the Dzhankoy region of Russia-annexed Crimea. Temeryanov is a correspondent for the Crimean Solidarity publication, with whom other defendants in the case are also connected, providing support to Crimean political prisoners and their families. All of them were arrested on July 11, 2022 under the article on organizing the activities of a terrorist organization. They are accused of studying and spreading the ideology of Hizb ut-Tahrir, as well as the intention to "create an ideal state of Muslims (the world Islamic Caliphate)". Abbozov was sent under house arrest, the rest were sent to a pre-trial detention center.

The investigation into the case of five Crimean Tatars did not provide real evidence of their terrorist activities, their preparation of terrorist attacks, the storage of ammunition, or even calls for violence. The accusations are based only on the fact of their participation in a banned organization and holding meetings with like-minded people. At the same time, an audio recording of a meeting seven years ago acts as the main evidence of guilt.

Последние новости
Friend of missing Chechen woman detained in Grozny after picket
Human rights
Friend of missing Chechen woman detained in Grozny after picket
23 August 2026

Elena Patyaeva—a friend of Seda Suleymanova, who disappeared three years ago after being forcibly returned from St. Petersburg to Chechnya—was detained in Grozny. On August 23, Patyaeva stood by the monument to journalists who died for freedom of speech, holding a sign that read: "I demand an investigation into the murder of Seda Suleymanova." This was reported by the human rights project "Slovo Zashchite" (Word for the Defense).

Azerbaijani Ambassador Says Russian Media Hinders Closer Ties Between Baku and Moscow
Politics
Azerbaijani Ambassador Says Russian Media Hinders Closer Ties Between Baku and Moscow
23 August 2026

Azerbaijan intends to continue developing relations with Russia, despite the deteriorating media narrative surrounding Baku in Russian outlets. Rahman Mustafayev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia, stated this in an interview with RTVI.

Falling debris from Ukrainian UAVs sparks fires in southern Russia
Politics
Falling debris from Ukrainian UAVs sparks fires in southern Russia
23 August 2026

Wildfires broke out in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions due to falling drone debris. In the Rostov region, the railway overhead power line was also damaged, while in the Kuban region, three people—including two children—were killed in an attack the previous day.

Case over children’s poisoning in Dagestan reaches court
Society
Case over children’s poisoning in Dagestan reaches court
22 August 2026

In Dagestan’s Karabudakhkent District, a criminal case against the head of the private Chudo kindergarten in the village of Paraul, where 10 children suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in February, has been sent to court, the republic’s prosecutor’s office said.
The woman is accused of providing services that failed to meet safety requirements for consumers’ lives and health. The case will be heard by the Karabudakhkent District Court.