Russian Authorities Target Crimean Tatars with Illegal Detentions

Recently, occupation forces conducted illegal searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars and detained five people.

According to the National Resistance Center, mass detentions, trumped-up charges, and searches are only part of the punitive measures that the occupation authorities systematically use to suppress resistance. On February 5, they detained Emir Kurtnezirov, Rustem Mustafayev, Abibulla Smedlyayev, Mirzaali Tajibayev and Bakhtiyar Ablaev.

"All of them are accused of 'terrorism' under Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code, which is a standard practice of persecution used against anyone who has a position inconvenient for the occupiers or refuses to cooperate ," the statement said.

The detainees were placed in a pre-trial detention center in Simferopol, and their lawyers are currently trying to gain access to their clients.

"The latest detentions are yet another evidence that the Russian occupation authorities in Crimea not only suppress any manifestations of resistance, but also purposefully persecute Crimean Tatars as an ethnic group. According to official data, 132 out of 218 illegally detained persons in Crimea are Crimean Tatars," the Center noted.

They also added that repressions against Crimeans are systemic. Using far-fetched accusations of terrorism, extremism and treason, the occupiers are trying to neutralize active members of the community, intimidating their families and friends. Some of the latest detainees are relatives of political prisoners, which demonstrates a policy of collective punishment.

"In addition to arrests, Russian security forces regularly carry out so-called "counter-sabotage" activities, which are actually aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear among the local population," the Center said.

In occupied Crimea, Russian security forces also searched the house of Crimean Tatar activist Seitnebi Ramazanov. According to preliminary data, the search was related to investigative actions against his son, former Kremlin political prisoner Ismail Ramazanov.

In total, 61 searches were recorded in the occupied Crimea in 2024, of which 35 were conducted in the homes of Crimean Tatars. Also, according to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, after the occupation of Crimea, the Russian Federation has been actively practicing religious persecution on the peninsula. Currently, 117 people are being persecuted in the so-called Hizb ut-Tahrir case.

Олеся Ланцман