Occupants arrest 26 Crimean residents for treason

In March 2026, dozens of human rights violations were recorded in occupied Crimea, ranging from illegal detentions to systematic disregard for the right to a fair trial. The Crimean Tatars, who make up a significant number of the victims, are especially often subjected to repression.

This is evidenced by the monitoring data of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

According to the human rights monitoring, at least 7 cases of violation of the right to health care were documented during the month, 4 of which were against representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. These included failure to provide medical care, ignoring the condition of prisoners and deterioration of their health in places of detention.

In March, 5 new detentions were also recorded. In particular, on March 12, in Kerch, the occupiers detained a 60-year-old man who was accused of passing information about military facilities. The next day, a local resident was detained in Sevastopol on suspicion of preparing to blow up a Russian military vehicle. On March 16, a 45-year-old man was detained in Feodosia for alleged "high treason," on March 23, a man was detained in Alupka for "public calls for terrorism," and on March 31, another resident of Feodosia was detained for "justifying terrorism."

In addition, 5 cases of interrogations, surveys and so-called "preventive conversations" were recorded. At the same time, the occupation authorities continue to actively use arrests: 26 such cases were documented during the month, 10 of which concerned Crimean Tatars.

Separately, human rights activists emphasize massive violations of the right to a fair trial - 30 such cases were recorded in March, including 13 against Crimean Tatars. These include systematic denials of appeals, prolongation of arrests, sentencing with violations, and imposition of fines.

Among the victims are Crimean political prisoners Shaban Umerov, Tofik Abdulgaziyev, Serhiy Likhomanov, Asan Akhtemov, Oleksandr Sizikov, Anatoliy Kobzar and Server Zekiryayev. The conditions of their detention remain critical: deteriorating health, lack of proper medical care and ignoring the requests of the defense.

In addition, at least three political prisoners - Rustem Murasov, Eskender Abdulganiyev and Server Mustafayev - were held in punishment cells and solitary confinement, which further complicates their condition.

Also, in late March, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released a new report that documented Russia's systematic violations of religious freedom in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea.

Анна Бальчінос