Latest news with #CrimeanSolidarity
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Crimean Tatar activist Mustafayev, illegally imprisoned in Russia, receives international human rights award
Crimean Tatar and Kremlin political prisoner Server Mustafayev has received an award from Freedom House, an international human rights organisation. Mustafayev was previously illegally sentenced in Russia to 14 years in prison. Source: Freedom House website Details: The Freedom Award website announced that Mustafayev would receive the prize for his contribution to human rights and democracy. Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, received the Alfred Moses Liberty Award on behalf of Server Mustafayev. Quote from Markarova: "It was a great honour for me to receive this award on his behalf and to remind everyone about Server and all our other hostages and Ukrainians illegally detained by Russia [...] This recognition is an important reminder of the struggle of Ukraine and the Crimean Tatar people against the brutal repression by the Russian Federation. The Kremlin's crimes against the Crimean Tatars and the genocidal war against Ukraine are a continuation of the unpunished hateful policy of the evil empire, the deportations of 1944 and all other crimes against Ukrainians." Details: Freedom House is an international human rights organisation founded in 1941 to unite politicians in the fight against Nazi Germany. The organisation's mission is to promote and defend freedom around the world and to support democracy, particularly activists and human rights defenders who fight for these values. Every year, Freedom House honours individuals and groups for their significant contributions to the advancement of human rights and democracy. Previous recipients include the spiritual leader of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama, former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. For reference: Server Mustafayev is a Crimean Tatar who reported on human rights violations under Russian occupation as coordinator of the Crimean Solidarity association of relatives of political prisoners, lawyers and activists. He also spoke out in defence of victims of political repression. In May 2018, the Russians arrested Mustafayev on charges of supposedly participating in the Hizb ut Tahrir organisation, which is banned in Russia. Its representatives say their mission is to unite all Muslim countries in an Islamic caliphate. Meanwhile, members of the organisation reject terrorist methods and claim to be persecuted in Russia and occupied Crimea. Later, Mustafayev and other detainees in the case were illegally transferred to the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. He repeatedly complained about violations of his rights in a Russian pre-trial detention centre, in particular saying that he was denied medical care when he was ill, starved and restricted from taking walks in the fresh air. In September 2020, they were sentenced for alleged participation in terrorist activities. Server Mustafayev received 14 years in prison. At the time, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the Russian court's decision unlawful and expressed its strong protest. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Crimean Tatar human rights activist Izetov held in harsh conditions in Russia's Yakutsk penal colony
Riza Izetov, a Crimean Tatar human rights activist sentenced by a Russian court to 19 years in prison, has reported harsh detention conditions in the Yakutsk penal colony, where he has experienced repeated disciplinary sanctions. Source: Crimean Solidarity, a Ukrainian non-governmental organisation Details: Izetov told Crimean Solidarity about the poor conditions in Yakutsk Penal Colony No. 1, stating that he is "constantly" subjected to disciplinary measures and placed in solitary confinement, including for uniform violations and for falling asleep during the day due to a hypertension attack. "Having seen me on camera, [the warders] organised a commission and punished me. I'd like to leave this place as soon as possible," Crimean Solidarity quoted Izetov as saying. He also reported that prison staff exert psychological and moral pressure on him. Izetov noted that three Crimean Tatars are being held in the institution where he is imprisoned. About 15 people are serving sentences for terrorism-related offences, all of whom are either in solitary confinement or in transit and transfer cells. Crimean Solidarity reported that Izetov is expected to be transferred to a high-security prison, likely in Russia's Far East, in Krasnoyarsk Krai, either in Minusinsk or Yenisei. The human rights defender also stated that he has no right to receive calls and expressed doubts about the possibility of meeting with his family. Despite having the right to long visits, the administration may deny these meetings due to his disciplinary sanctions. Izetov also mentioned that the cell had terrible lighting. It used to be cold, but now the heating has been turned on. The prisoners are forced to drink water directly from the tap. A court sentenced Riza to 19 years in prison, of which the first 5 years he must serve in a high-security prison and the rest in a strict regime colony. Izetov was accused of organising the activities of the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Russia but operates legally in Ukraine and other countries. Background: In March 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced five Crimean Solidarity activists detained in connection with the "second Simferopol group" of Hizb ut-Tahrir to prison terms ranging from 15 to 19 years. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russians launch mass raids on Crimean Tatars' homes in temporarily occupied Crimea at 04:00
The Russians have began mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in temporarily occupied Crimea on the morning of 5 February. Source: Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, on Facebook, Crimean Solidarity Human Rights Movement Quote from Chubarov: "As of now, searches are known to have taken place at: the home of Emir Kurtnezirov, son of political prisoner Remzi Kurtnezirov, who lives in the village of Cadra (the name under occupation – Lobanovo) in the Dzhankoi district; the home of Abibula Smedlyaev, who lives in the village of Borlaq Tama (the name under occupation – Novokrymske) in the Dzhankoi district; the home of Rustem Mustafayev, who lives in the village of İlk Çoqraq (the name under occupation – Istochne) in the Dzhankoi district." Details: Crimean Solidarity wrote that as of 09:00 five Crimean Tatars had been detained after searches. Crimean Solidarity reported that Emir Kurtnezirov's sister said the Russians came at 04:00, turned the house upside down, "planted prohibited materials to justify the arrest" and arrested her brother. Her father was placed under house arrest on 5 March 2024. Emir Kurtnezirov. Photo: Facebook Shefikha Mustafayeva, the wife of Rustem Mustafayev, who was also detained in the morning, said that the Russians broke down the front door and entered the house while everyone was still asleep. Representatives of Crimean Solidarity reported that the Russian Federal Security Service detained Mirzaali Tajibayev in the morning. Mirzaali Tajibayev. Photo: Facebook "There were about 10 of them. They searched all the rooms… He has never been involved in any political or religious crimes. He cooked pilaf in the name of Allah during holidays and gave charity," Gulnara, Mirzaali Tajibayev's wife, told a journalist from Crimean Solidarity. Crimean Tatar journalist and human rights activist Lutfiye Zudiyeva stated that Russian security forces also detained Abibula Smedlyaev from the village of Borlaq Tama, who is the father of four children. Abibula Smedlyaev. Photo: Facebook Later, she reported a fifth morning search and arrest, the Russian Federal Security Service detained Bakhtiyar Ablaev from the village of Toy Töbe (Kovylne) in the Dzhankoi district. Background: This is not the first time Crimean Tatars' homes have been searched. The Russians usually conduct their raids at dawn. Searches in the homes of several Crimean Tatars were conducted on 24 August 2023. Russian security forces searched the house of Crimean Tatar Abdul Gafarov, Head of the Alushta Muslim religious community, at dawn on 30 November 2023. After searches, they took him to the so-called police department in Russian-occupied Crimea. Support UP or become our patron!
