On September 21, 2022, the so-called Supreme Court of Crimea held the final court session on the case of undermining the gas pipeline in the village of Perevalne. Nariman Dzhelialov, Aziz and Asan Akhtemov were sentenced.
Nariman Dzhelyalov was found guilty of committing a crime under paragraphs a, b part 2 of Art. 281 (commission of sabotage by an organized group, resulting in significant property damage), Part 4 of Art. 222.1 (illegal acquisition, storage and transportation of explosive devices committed by an organized group), Part 3 of Art. 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal transportation of an explosive device through the customs border of the Customs Union within the framework of the EurAsEC, committed by an organized group) and sentenced to 17 years in prison, a fine of 700 thousand rubles and restriction of liberty for 1.5 years.
Asan Akhtemov was found guilty of committing a crime under paragraph a, b part 2 of Art. 281 (commission of sabotage by an organized group, resulting in significant property damage), Part 4 of Art. 222.1 (illegal acquisition, storage and transportation of explosive devices committed by an organized group), Part 3 of Art. 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal transportation of an explosive device through the customs border of the Customs Union within the framework of the EurAsEC, committed by an organized group) and sentenced to 15 years in prison, a fine of 500 thousand rubles and restriction of liberty for a period of 1 year.
Aziz Akhtemov was found guilty of committing a crime under paragraph a, b part 2 of Art. 281 (commission of sabotage by an organized group, resulting in significant property damage), Part 4 of Art. 222.1 (illegal acquisition, storage and transportation of explosive devices committed by an organized group), Part 3 of Art. 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal transportation of an explosive device across the customs border of the Customs Union within the framework of the EurAsEC, committed by an organized group) and sentenced to 13 years in prison, a fine of 500 thousand rubles and restriction of liberty for a period of 1 year.
All three men, residents of the Simferopol region of Crimea, were detained on September 3-4, 2021.
Nariman Dzhelialov (born in 1980) – Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people;
Asan Akhtemov (born in 1989) – activist;
Aziz Akhtemov (born in 1996) – activist.
The accusations in this case are based on the so-called evidence of Asan and Aziz Akhtemov obtained by the FSB as a result of torture. The activists are accused of committing sabotage on the gas pipeline in the village of Perevalne on August 23, 2021. In fact, the real reason for the persecution is the participation of Nariman Dzhelialov in the founding Summit of the Crimean Platform on August 23, 2021.
Consideration of the so-called case took place with a gross violation of international law. The defendants were systematically restricted in their right to liberty and security of person, the right to a fair trial, the right to a healthcare access, 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, does not have the right to extend its criminal legislation to the occupied territory of Crimea.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center strongly protests and states that this decision is illegal, politically motivated and criminal.
Such a policy of the Russian Federation is a demonstration of the fight against dissent, as well as the religious and political beliefs of people in the occupied Crimea. In addition, the decision of the so-called Supreme Court of Crimea testifies to the ongoing repression and pressure on the indigenous Crimean Tatar people.
The Russian Federation unlawfully uses its legislation for political purposes, in particular to suppress the non-violent struggle of the Crimean Tatars and their protest against the occupation of Crimea, as well as the persecution of members of the representative body of the indigenous people of Crimea – the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center demands to cancel the sentences of Nariman Dzhelialov, Asan and Aziz Akhtemov and to release the other political prisoners.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center calls on the international community to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to stop political persecution in Crimea, as well as to impose personal sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in Crimea.
Press Service of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center