The Crimean Tatar Resource Center continues to talk about family persecution in occupied Crimea, and today we want to share with you the story of the family of Esma Mustafayeva, from whom the Russian occupiers took away their son Seydamet Mustafayev and son-in-law (daughter’s husband) Ruslan Asanov on the same day.
The two men were detained on the same day, August 24, 2023, after Russian security forces raided the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchysarai and the Bakhchysarai district of Crimea. Seydamet Mustafayev and Ruslan Asanov were accused of involvement in the activities of the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization banned in the Russian Federation, which has no restrictions on its activities in most countries of the world.
In fact, these men were detained for their strong pro-Ukrainian civic position. Activists have been repeatedly detained at rallies in support of other Crimean Tatars who were tried in politically motivated cases.
For example, in 2017, the Bakhchisarai district court sentenced Seydamet Mustafayev to 10 days of arrest for participating in an unauthorized rally during a search of political prisoner Seyran Saliiev. In 2021, he was detained and fined under Article 20.6.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Failure to comply with rules of conduct in the event of a threat of an emergency). In February 2022, he was arrested under part one of Article 20.2.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation Organization of mass simultaneous stay and (or) movement of citizens in public places, resulting in a violation of public order.
The charges in these cases are based on the testimony of hidden witnesses and the conclusions of experts actively cooperating with the FSB of the Russian Federation. The only evidence is prohibited Islamic literature found during searches, operational data from the FSB and audio recordings that allegedly recorded that the convicts were discussing religious and political topics.
This 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.
So, 2 searches, 2 criminal cases. Isn’t it too much repression for one family?
We believe and know that justice will be restored very soon and one day all the prisoners from this family will definitely return home, and the occupiers will be responsible for the persecution and repression committed against each family member.