Six Crimean Tatar political prisoners had their arrest extended

“Crimean Solidarity” activists from Bakhchisaray Seydamet Mustafayev, Eldar Yakubov, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov, Ruslan Asanov, Ametkhan Umerov and Remzi Nimetulaev were left in pre-trial detention until April 22. This decision was made by the Kiev District Court in Simferopol.

According to lawyer Emil Kurbedinov, in court there were routine statements from FSB officers that the defendants “could escape or influence the course of the investigation.” The defense noted that the court did not accept a single argument to choose another preventive measure for the defendant. Lawyers believe that the investigation is groundlessly accusing Crimean Tatar activists of terrorist activities.

Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov spoke about the unsatisfactory conditions of detention in pre-trial detention center-2 in Simferopol and the rude treatment of employees. For a long time he could not get the Koran handed over to him.

The defendants were arrested at the end of August 2023. Previously, they were detained more than once at rallies in support of other arrested Crimean Tatars. They are accused of participating in the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned in the Russian Federation. In Ukraine and other countries of the world, the party operates legally, and its members are not subject to any persecution.

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