On October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don sentenced four persons involved in the so-called third Bakhchysarai Hizb ut-Tahrir case, who were detained by Russian security forces on March 11, 2020.
Seytumer Seytumerov was sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony, serving the first 3 years and 6 months in prison;
Osman Seytumerov to 14 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony, serving the first 3 years and 6 months in prison;
Rustem Seitmemetov to 13 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony, serving the first 3 years and 6 months in prison;
Amet Suleimanov to 12 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony with serving the first 3 years and 6 months in prison.
All of them were found guilty of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a terrorist organization).
The accusation in this so-called case is based on the testimony of hidden witnesses and the conclusion of the so-called experts who are actively cooperating with the Russian security forces. The so-called case was considered in gross violation of international law. The accused were systematically limited in the right to liberty and personal security, the right to a fair trial, the right to an effective legal defense, the right to respect for private and family life, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression, were subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment. Also, within the framework of this so-called case, the right to punishment was violated solely on the basis of the law, since the Russian Federation, as an occupying state, in accordance with the IV Geneva Convention, has no right to extend its criminal legislation on the territory of the occupied Crimea.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center strongly protests and states that this decision is illegal, politically motivated and criminal.
This policy of the Russian Federation is a demonstration of the fight against dissent, as well as the religious and political beliefs of the people in the occupied Crimea. In addition, the decisions of the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don testify to the ongoing repression and pressure on the indigenous Crimean Tatar people.
The Russian Federation improperly uses its legislation for political purposes, in particular with the aim of suppressing the non-violent struggle of the Crimean Tatars and their protest against the occupation of Crimea.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center demands the cancellation of the verdict of the defendants of the so-called third Bakhchysarai Hizb ut-Tahrir case and the immediate release of other political prisoners.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center notes that the leadership of Ukraine should step up activities to de-occupy the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center calls on the international community, primarily the member states of the Crimean Platform, to increase pressure on the Russian Federation in order to end political persecution in Crimea, to introduce personal sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in Crimea, and to block the launch of the Northern Stream-2.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center is sure that today's so-called sentences are the result of an insufficiently tough position of the partner countries of Ukraine.