The state of health of Erfan Osmanov, a defendant in the so-called second Hizb ut-Tahrir case in Simferopol, worsened greatly during his stay in the pre-trial detention center. The political prisoner is worried about heart problems and high blood pressure. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center was informed about this by his wife Akime.
“The state of health leaves much to be desired, there is no single day that something does not bother him. During the time of being in the pre-trial detention center, it has very much deteriorated. There are no daily walks, for days he is kept in a closed cell without air and sun. It is especially difficult on hot days, a terrible lack of fresh air, there are 11 people in the cell, hence shortness of breath, high blood pressure, heart problems”,- she said.
The spouse stressed that they also tried to force Erfan to take part in the Russian referendum, although he repeatedly refused. Therefore, the occupants decided to use inmates and through them put pressure on the political prisoner, threatening to search his cell.
In addition, letters are not given to the political prisoner. During his stay in the Simferopol pre-trial detention center, he received only one letter.
We remind that on March 27, 2019, Russian security forces in the occupied Crimea carried out mass searches in 26 Crimean Tatars' dwellings. 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. According to the results of the searches, 20 people were suspected of involvement in the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, which is 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 detainees after searches. They chose a preventive measure in the form of detention. Subsequently, all the individuals involved in this so-called case were repeatedly extended the terms of their arrest.