On Tuesday, December 17, in the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, a court hearing was held on the second Bakhchysarai “Hizb ut-Tahrir case”, in which the defense team accused the Russian judge in partiality, and bias. This was reported by “Crimean solidarity”.
Lawyer Lilya Gemedzhi challenged the presiding judge Zubairov, as he has a clear interest in the outcome of the case. Judge Saprunov denied this motion.
"… in view of the fact that your behavior, your tone, and your remarks are absolutely inappropriate in this lawsuit. Both in relation to me, and in relation to my petitions, and in relation to my clients. Moreover, you are constantly violating the rules of the court hearing procedure, motions are rejected and not considered on time. Also, the witness is being constantly prompted on how to behave. There is a clear interest in the outcome of the case, bias and partiality," said the lawyer.
Previously, on 11 October 2017 in Bakhchysarai, occupants held mass searches in six Crimean Tatar households – Marlen Asanov, Seyran Saliiev, Timur Ibrahimov, Memet Belyalov, Ernest Ametov, Server Zakiryaev. All were detained and charged with the article 205.5 Criminal Code of Russian Federation “participation in an organization that is recognized as terrorist by Russia legislature”.
On 21 May 2018, in the occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the households of Crimean Solidarity activists, whereby two Crimean Tatars, Server Mustafayev and Edem Smailov, were detained. They are also charged with participation in “Hizb-ut-Tahrir” that is illegal in Russia.
In February 2019, the criminal case was opened against eight defendants – Marlen Asanov, Seyran Saliiev, Timur Ibrahimov, Memet Belyalov, Ernest Ametov, Server Zakiryaev, Server Mustafayev, and Edem Smailov – charging them with article 278 Criminal Code of Russian Federation (violent seizure of power).
On 5 March, it became known that two defendants, Timur Ibrahimov and Memet Belyalov, received even more severe charges (article 205.5 Criminal Code, “participation in a terrorist organization” and first part “organization of terrorist activity).