Russian Security Forces Conduct New Repression Against Crimean Tatars

In the occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted new searches against Crimean Tatars, causing significant repression. In particular, the family of journalist Gulsum Khalilova suffered.

This was reported by the public organization Crimean Tatars of Odesa region.

On April 1, Russian security forces conducted a new wave of searches in the occupied Crimea targeting Crimean Tatars. This time, the raid took place in the village of Ortalan (Zemlianychne), where Russian occupiers broke into houses, checked belongings, searched for weapons, books and equipment. According to the press service, their real goal was to spread fear and subdue the local population.

Among the victims was the family of Gulsum Halilova, a well-known journalist for ATR and Tercüman, whose home was attacked again.

This incident is yet another proof that the repressions in Crimea do not stop. Public figures emphasized that it is necessary to talk about the occupation and not to let the world forget about what is happening on the peninsula.

Also, an artist from Crimea was sentenced to 15 years in prison for an anti-war rally. In May 2022, Bohdan Ziza, an artist from Yevpatoria, committed an anti-war act: he poured yellow and blue paint on the facade of the Russian administration building and tried to set it on fire. This act was his protest against Russia's war in Ukraine. Despite the pressure and ill-treatment, he continues to fight, maintaining moral resistance through his drawings and letters from prison.

Recently, the detained Lviv family was provided with lawyers in Crimea, and all of them were charged with "high treason." At first, they tried to hide their arrest, and their relatives could not find out about their whereabouts. The Chairman of the Mejlis called for publicity, emphasizing that the FSB continues repressions and provocations on the peninsula.

And the youngest political prisoner of Crimea, Appaz Kurtamet, who is now in the Pskov colony, spoke about the difficult conditions of detention and constant psychological pressure. The harsh conditions, constant physical challenges and mental stress he faces on a daily basis have a serious impact on his health.

Анна Бальчінос