Crimean Tatar activist Suleyman Kadyrov was sentenced to two years on probation

On Thursday, March 1, Feodosia City Court (judge – Anastasiya Shapoval) sentenced the Crimean Tatar activist Suleyman Kadyrov for two years on probation and prohibited for two years to carry out any social activities for the same period. Kadyrov was found guilty of public calls aimed at violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation for commenting on Facebook: “Crimea is Ukraine. It has always been, is and will be”. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center states that the decision of the occupation court is politically motivated and criminal. This unjust decision is directed against dissent and all who do not agree with Russia’s illegal actions in Crimea. Thus, Russia demonstrates the fight against dissent and freedom of speech.

The Crimean Tatar Resource Center states that the decision of the occupation court is politically motivated and criminal. This unjust decision is directed against dissent and all who do not agree with Russia's illegal actions in the Crimea. Thus, Russia demonstrates the fight against dissent and freedom of speech.

The Crimean Tatar Resource Center demands the cancellation of the sentence to Suleyman Kadyrov  and the immediate release of other political prisoners.

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, with the aim to put an end to political persecution and caneal earlier made decisions. 

Reference:  On October 5, 2016, Russian security officers came with a search to the house of the  Crimean Tatar activist Suleyman Kadyrov. Later, the FSB initiated criminal proceedings against Kadyrov for separatism, and the Russian service for financial monitoring put him on the list of extremists and terrorists. On October 18 this year, the so-called Office of the Federal Security Service of Russia in the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, charged Kadyrov with committing a crime under Part 2 of Art. 280.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Public Appeals for the implementation of extremist activities). The activist does not admit his guilt. On October 25, the so-called Office of the Federal Security Service of Russia in the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol completed the investigation of the criminal case against Suleyman Kadyrov.