Witnesses testified in defense of Crimean Tatars in their trial

The trial of the "sixth Bakhchisaray group" of Crimean Tatars continued in the Southern District Military Court. The defense presented two witnesses who spoke favorably of the defendants, noting their active participation in social life and their service to others.

The defense also requested documents substantiating the installation of listening devices in the homes of the defendants by security forces. However, the court found this request unfounded.

As a reminder, on March 5, 2024, ten Crimean Tatars were detained in the Bakhchisaray and Dzhankoy districts of Crimea. Memet Lyumanov, Mustafa Abduramanov, Aziz Azizov, Rustem Osmanov, Enver Khalillaev, Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vakhid Mustafaev, and Arsen Kashka were sent to pretrial detention. Former imam Remzi Kurtnezirov was placed under house arrest. All defendants were accused of involvement in the activities of the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Russia. The organization operates without national legal restrictions in Ukraine and most countries.

Последние новости
Kremlin Denies Knowledge of Reported ‘Secret Talks’ on Ukraine Held in Baku
News
Kremlin Denies Knowledge of Reported ‘Secret Talks’ on Ukraine Held in Baku
22 July 2026

The Kremlin said on Wednesday it had no information about a reported meeting between former senior German and Russian officials that Western media said may have taken place in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.

A native of Kabardino-Balkaria with US citizenship has remained in pretrial detention for over a year and a half
Human rights
A native of Kabardino-Balkaria with US citizenship has remained in pretrial detention for over a year and a half
22 July 2026

Timur Kishukov, a native of Kabardino-Balkaria who received US citizenship in 2017, has been in pretrial detention for over a year and a half. His case is currently being heard by the Southern District Military Court. Investigators believe that 38-year-old Kishukov was planning a terrorist attack, participated in an illegal armed group, and underwent terrorist training. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

The State Duma saw a threat in Baku's rapprochement with Europe: Azerbaijan was compared to Armenia and Ukraine
Politics
The State Duma saw a threat in Baku's rapprochement with Europe: Azerbaijan was compared to Armenia and Ukraine
22 July 2026

State Duma Deputy Alexander Tolmachev sharply criticized Azerbaijan's plans to develop a strategic dialogue with Germany, effectively calling into question Baku's right to an independent foreign policy course. The reason for this was President Ilham Aliyev's announcement of plans to take relations with Berlin to a new level.

A Turkologist warns of foreign policy developments in Armenia that it cannot ignore
Politics
A Turkologist warns of foreign policy developments in Armenia that it cannot ignore
22 July 2026

While Armenia's attention is focused on the work of the new parliament and disputes over parliamentary mandates, processes are unfolding outside the country that could have a far greater impact on its future. Turkologist Varuzhan Geghamyan has drawn attention to this.