As we can see, repression in Crimea does not stop – the occupation authorities continue to fabricate cases against those who do not recognise the Russian occupation. Every week there are new detentions, arrests and trials of activists, journalists, religious figures and ordinary citizens who express a pro-Ukrainian position. Mass searches have become a systemic tool of intimidation, especially against Crimean Tatars. The number of political prisoners is steadily increasing, as Russia uses repressive methods to suppress any dissent.
For more information on Kremlin prisoners, please see the clickable chart ‘Victims of the Occupation of Crimea’, which is updated on an ongoing basis on the CTRC website.
According to the CTRC, this category consists of 5 subcategories depending on the status of the persecuted:
– sentenced and serving terms in a colonies (181, 106 are Crimean Tatars);
– have restrictions or on probation (53, 28 – Crimean Tatars);
– in pre-trial detention facilities (59, 39 – Crimean Tatars);
– released (57, 35 – Crimean Tatars);
– persecuted (35, 28 – Crimean Tatars).
Russia continues to destroy freedom of speech and any resistance on the occupied peninsula. However, Crimeans are not giving up and their resistance continues!