Searches and detentions held in Crimea under the pretext of fighting the extremists of ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’

In Crimea, in the morning of May 12 the homes of Muslims in Bakhchisarai were raided, four people were detained.

“Yesterday, I talked with the Ombudsman, now we see the response. In the city of Bahchisarai a series of searches was held,” Head of the CEC Kurultai of Crimean Tatars Zaire Smedlyayev wrote on Facebook.

“Another campaign of intimidation of the Crimean Tatars on the eve of May 18th. On this day, the cases of the Crimean Muslims arrested last year are to be heard,” said Smedlyayev.

“Massive searches in Bakhchisarai. Buses with armed men in neck face masks,” he said.

Staff of a café in Bakhchisarai also reported the searches, ‘Krym.Realiyi’ wrote.

“In Caravanserai Salachik there are mass raids. Two buses with armed men arrived. Everyone who cares, please come to us. We need your support and help,” the institution reports on its Facebook page.

So far we know the names of three searched persons: Enver Mamutov, Rustem Abeltarov and Zevri Abseitov.

“After the search, the armed masked men detained Ramsey Abseyitova, we assume, they took him to Bakhchisarai district police department. Searches continue in other houses, we do not exclude that a series of arrests mat follow,” Smedlyayev said later.

“Obviously, security forces want to show their respect for the rights and freedoms Ombudsman of the Russian Federation, with whom these issues were discussed at a meeting yesterday,” he added.

In turn, the Kremlin appointee, Prosecutor of annexed Crimea Natalia Poklonska told Tass that four members of organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’, recognized as a terrorist in Russia, were detained yesterday in Bakhchisarai.

“Today, operational and investigative authorities of Federal Security Service of Russia in Crimea and Sevastopol have taken measures to arrest members of the terrorist organization and organizer of the cell in Bakhchisarai,” she said.

“The searches continue,” Poklonska added.

The criminal case against three residents of Bakhchisaray was instituted on May 11 under para. 2, Art. 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code (“participation in the activities of a terrorist organization”) and under para.1 article 205.5 of the Criminal Code (“organizing terrorist activities”).

“It was found that one of the detainees, being the head of the local cell of the terrorist organization carried out hidden unconstitutional activities in the territory of Bakhchisarai in the form of advocacy among the population. He urged local residents to participate in the activities of the said terrorist organization, supervised this activity, organized and held conspiratorial meetings,” Poklonska says.

From the beginning of the year 6 people were arrested in Crimea who are considered followers of ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ and members of cells in Yalta and Alushta. Currently they are in custody.

Poklonska stated about their friendly relations with terrorist organization and Mejlis of Crimean Tatar people banned in Russia.