The Russian Southern District Military Court in the Rostov-on-Don handed down an illegal sentence to political prisoner Amethan Abdulvapov – 10.5 years of imprisonment, 3 years of which the man must spend in prison. Abdulvapov was convicted in the falsified “Crimean Muslims” case.

In addition, the Russian prosecutor asked for 1 year of restrictions for the political prisoner after the expiration of the term of his illegal detention: a ban on leaving the house at night, attending and participating in mass events, leaving Crimea without permission or changing his place of residence.

“The defense fully does not agree with this verdict. We consider it illegal and unfounded; we intend to challenge it legally in the appeals court”, lawyer Refat Yunus commented on the verdict.

“I have no connection with terrorism. Release me from the courtroom to my family, to my children”, said Amethan Abdulvapov during his last words in the court.

Earlier, on February 9, 2022, occupying security forces conducted searches in the houses of Crimean Tatars simultaneously in several districts of the occupied Crimea. Four people were detained, including: Ansar Osmanov, Marlen Mustafayev, Ernest Seitosmanov and Amethan Abdulvapov. On the same day, all four were remanded in custody in the Simferopol pre-trial detention center. Amethan Abdulvapov was charged with alleged “participation in a terrorist organization”. 

We draw the attention of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine to another violation of the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Ukraine. We call on the international community to decisively react to these criminal actions of the Russian Federation and increase pressure on the aggressor country.

Politically motivated persecution, repression and illegal sentences in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea must stop immediately, which is impossible without the de-occupation of the peninsula.