The defendants in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case from Bakhchisarai, Seydamet Mustafayev, Remzi Nimetulaev, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov, Ametkhan Umerov, Ruslan Asanov and Eldar Yakubov, had their detention in the pre-trial detention center extended until November 24.

“Arguments that our clients can escape, that such terrible criminals are accused of terrorism, and so on. This is not confirmed by anything, it is just speculation. In fact, these political prisoners are being held because they refused to incriminate themselves and agree with the labels of “terrorists,” lawyer Emil Kurbedinov noted in court.

All six Crimean Tatars were detained more than once at rallies in support of other arrested compatriots. They were charged with organizing a terrorist organization and participating in it.

Cases are regularly brought against Crimean Muslims for involvement in the Islamist party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia. Its alleged participants are accused and sentenced to real terms on the basis of holding meetings in apartments and reading religious literature.