On Monday, 19 August, political prisoner Appaz Kurtamet was forced to celebrate his 22nd birthday in a Russian colony.
We will remind, on 23 July 2022, Russian occupants detained Crimean Tatar Appaz Kurtamet on suspicion of allegedly financing a terrorist organisation under Art. 208 part. 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
According to the investigation, he lent 500 hryvnias to his acquaintance, who, as Appaz learnt after making the money transfer, serves in the battalion ‘Crimea’. In April 2023, the guy was sentenced to 7 years in prison.
It should be noted that the charges in this ‘case’ are based on the testimony of ‘hidden witnesses’ and the conclusion of so-called experts, who actively cooperate with the Russian security forces. The consideration of the case took place in flagrant violation of the norms of international law.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Centre strongly protests and declares that this decision is illegal, politically motivated and criminal. This policy of the Russian Federation is a demonstration of the fight against the political beliefs of citizens in the occupied Crimea.
The staff of the Crimean Tatar Resource Centre heartily congratulates Appaz Kurtamet on his birthday! We wish you a speedy release and reunification with your family and loved ones, good health, patience, indomitable will and prosperity!
We continue to actively work for the release of Appaz Kurtamet and all other political prisoners of Crimea.