Political prisoners spoke out against repression on annexed peninsula

June 25, 2020

On Thursday, June 25, in the Military Court of Appeal in the Russian city of Vlasikha, a court session is being held on the so-called Yalta Hizb ut-Tahrir case, during which political prisoners spoke out against repression in the occupied Crimea. It was reported by the Crimean Solidarity public association.

The defendant in the so-called case Vadim Siruk held a poster with the inscription: “We do not need your kings,” and Refat Alimov – “Stop repressions in Crimea”.

We remind that Emir-Husein Kuku, Vadim Siruk, Muslim Aliev, Enver Bekirov, Arsen Dzhepparov and Refat Alimov are accused of participation in the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization banned in the Russian Federation. They are charged with Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Organization of the activities of a terrorist organization and participation in it”). Later they were imputed Article 278 of the Criminal Code (“Forced seizure of power or forcible retention of power”). On October 11, during a debate in the Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don, the prosecutor requested 13 to 20 years in prison for the defendants in the so-called Yalta Hizb ut-Tahrir case. On November 12, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don announced the verdict. Muslim Aliev and Enver Bekirov were sentenced to 19 and 18 years in a maximum security colony, Emir-Husein Kuku and Vadim Siruk – to 12 years, Refat Alimov – to 8 years, Arsen Dzhepparov – to 7 years.