In Crimea, the court left Crimean Tatar activists in custody

The Supreme Court of Crimea, in an appeal, recognized as legal the extension of the detention in a pre-trial detention center of Crimean Tatar activists Lenur Seydametov and Timur Yalkabov, accused of involvement in the Islamist party Hizb ut-Tahrir. This was reported by the Crimean Solidarity movement with reference to lawyer Emine Avamileva.

Back in February, the defense filed a petition to mitigate the preventive measure, but the court did not consider this request, including at the meeting to extend the preventive measure. Avamilaev's lawyer considers this a significant violation.

In April, the Kievsky District Court of Simferopol extended the detention of Yalkabov and Seidametov for four months, until July 15.

At the court hearing, the defense indicated that Timur Yalkabov has chronic diseases (including bronchial asthma) and group III disability, and being in a pre-trial detention center negatively affects the health of the defendant.

In addition, Yalkabov and Seydametov have dependent young children. The lawyer in court added that the defendants have no intention of hiding from the investigation and putting pressure on the participants in the process.

Seidametov is charged with participation in a terrorist organization (Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code), Yalkabov is charged with organizing the activities of a terrorist organization (Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code). Previously, Yalkabov was transferred to a special unit in a pre-trial detention center, where his asthma worsened.

The accused in court emphasized that they do not admit guilt and believe that they are being persecuted on ethnic and religious grounds.

• Lenur Seidametov and Timur Yalkabov were arrested on February 17, 2021. This happened after mass searches took place in Crimea in the morning of the same day. At least seven people, including Lenur Seidametov and Timur Yalkabov, became defendants in criminal cases of organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and participating in it (Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code). In March, Lenur Seidametov was sent for a compulsory forensic psychiatric examination. The activist spent 21 days in the hospital.
• Hizb ut-Tahrir was recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia. Its participants are accused and sentenced to real terms only on the basis that they met in apartments, read religious literature and recruited new participants. According to the SOVA information and analytical center, the party was unlawfully recognized as terrorist in Russia.