Occupants accuse human rights defenders in Crimea of extremism

Repressions have intensified in the occupied Crimea. On the eve of May 18, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Deportation, the occupation authorities tried to intimidate activists.

This was reported by Suspilne. Crimea.

In the occupied Crimea, Russian security forces have intensified the persecution of Ukrainians - over the past week, several local residents have been detained, accusing them of collaborating with Ukrainian special services. At the same time, the occupation authorities handed a number of Crimean Tatar activists and human rights defenders official warnings about extremism on the eve of the tragic date - the anniversary of the deportation of Crimean Tatars on May 18.

The occupiers announced the detention of a resident of Kerch who allegedly contacted a representative of the GUR via social media in 2023, sent photos of air defense facilities, and received 5,000 rubles for doing so. He is charged with treason - the case is being investigated by the occupation prosecutor's office.

In addition, two men were detained in Sevastopol. According to the Russian investigation, one of them was recruited by the SBU to pass on intelligence about military equipment, and the other collected information about air defense for foreign intelligence services. Another Crimean, a resident of Simferopol district, is accused by the occupation authorities of preparing for a terrorist attack ordered by the SBU - allegedly, he was supposed to find and store explosives.

Meanwhile, Crimean Tatar human rights activists are also under pressure. 1A warning about the "inadmissibility of extremism" was handed to Abdureshit Dzhepparov - the document was distributed by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Nariman Dzhelal. Similar warnings were also given to Crimean Solidarity activists Server Cholakchik and Seyit-Osman Karaliyev. According to Karaliyev, he receives similar warnings every year before May 18, the day of remembrance of the victims of the deportation of Crimean Tatars.

According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, in the first three months of 2025 alone, at least 159 administrative cases were registered on the peninsula for allegedly "discrediting the Russian army," and 151 cases resulted in fines or arrests.

Recently, during the Crimean Week, the European Parliament emphasized the ongoing repressions, disappearances and illegal detentions in occupied Crimea. The de-occupation of the peninsula remains the only way to restore justice and protect the rights of its residents, especially Crimean Tatars.

Анна Бальчінос