Russian prosecutor demands up to 17 years in a strict penal colony for Crimean Tatar activists

The prosecutor requested 17 years in a strict regime colony for the Crimean Tatar activists of the first Dzhankoy group. The defense lawyers noted that the charges were based only on audio recordings, and no evidence of terrorist plans was presented.

This was reported by Suspilne with reference to the lawyer of the public organization "Crimean Solidarity" Emil Kurbedinov.

At the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don (Russia), the prosecutor requested that the Crimean Tatar activists from the first Dzhankoy group in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case be sentenced to 11 to 17 years in a maximum security colony. He also asked that they spend the first four years in prison.

In particular, the prosecutor demanded a maximum sentence of 17 years in a strict regime colony for activist Enver Krosh, 15 years for Edem Bekirov and Rinat Aliyev, and 13 years for journalist Vilen Temerianov. Instead, for Seityazy Abbozov, who is under house arrest due to his health condition, the prosecutor requested 11 years in prison.

Lawyer Kurbedinov emphasized that it is difficult to consider the prosecutor's speeches as debates, because no convincing evidence was provided regarding the charges against his clients, who are accused of serious terrorist articles. According to him, the main evidence in this case is only audio recordings of conversations.

During the trial, the Crimean Tatars and their lawyers were not granted access to the materials that were sent for examination. In addition, the case has not yet established specific plans to commit terrorist or other violent acts.

The investigation began in March 2024 after large-scale searches in the Dzhankoy and Bakhchisaray districts of Crimea. At that time, nine Crimean Tatars were detained, including activists, imams and parents of a large family. All of the defendants deny terrorism charges and complain of pressure from security forces, lack of medical care, and violations of their rights.

Анна Бальчінос