A year ago, on March 27, 2019, Russian security forces in the occupied Crimea carried out mass searches in 26 dwellings of Crimean Tatars. According to the results, 20 people were suspected of involvement in the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization banned in the Russian Federation. On March 28, three more Crimean Tatar activists were detained, in whose dwellings searches were carried out in their absence. On March 27-28, the occupation court arrested all 23 detained after the searches. They chose a preventive measure in the form of detention. Subsequently, all individuals involved in the so-called case were repeatedly extended the terms of their arrest.
Literature was seized from some activists, which, according to Crimean Solidarity, the security forces planted themselves. In addition to books and brochures, people were confiscated phones, tablets, laptops, passports. The servicemen behaved rudely. It is reported that they used physical force against detainees and entered the houses in shoes. Lawyers who arrived at the site of the searches were not allowed to contact the detainees.
On March 27 and 28, security officials detained the following activists: Ruslan Suleymanov, Alim Kerimov, Rustem Sheykhaliev, Medzhit Abdurakhmanov, Yashar Muedinov, Bilyal Adilov, Dzhemil Gafarov, Riza Izetov, Izzet Abdullaev, Asan Yanikov, Shaban Umerov, Medzhit Abdurakhmanov, Tofik Abdulgaziev, Seytveli Seytabdiev, Rustem Seytkhalilov, Akim Bekirov, Farkhod Bazarov, Server Gaziev, Seyran Murtaza, Erfan Osmanov, Osman Arifmemetov, Remzi Bekirov and Vladlen Abdulkadyrov.
On the night of April 16-17, Russian border guards detained Crimean Tatar activist Raim Ayvazov on the administration border with occupied Crimea at the Kalanchak checkpoint on charges of involvement in the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization banned in the Russian Federation (Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). He was included in the criminal case of 23 Crimean Tatars detained on March 27-28, 2019.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center states that the arrest of Crimean Tatar activists is an example of xenophobia against the indigenous people of Crimea.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center demands the immediate release of all those detained on March 27 and 28, 2019 and other political prisoners of Crimea.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center calls on the international community, international human rights organizations to increase pressure on the Russian Federation and the occupation authorities of Crimea in order to end political persecution and cancel the previously issued illegal court decisions.