Torture and cruel treatment under occupation: CrimeaSOS recorded 5 forms of violations in 2024 

Beatings of civilians, ignoring medical needs, psychiatric examinations and the use of physical force against unlawfully detained persons – CrimeaSOS identified 5 forms of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against Crimean political prisoners and civilian residents of the peninsula by the occupiers in 2024.  

They are as follows: 

• Use of physical force against illegally detained persons from the occupied territories of Ukraine.

During 2024, cases of the use of physical force against illegally imprisoned citizens of Ukraine were recorded. In particular, the occupation special services beat two railway employees who were detained on charges of allegedly collaborating with Ukrainian troops. In addition, the colony employees brutally beat, threatened to kill, did not provide necessary medical care, and humiliated Rustem Osmanov. The prison guards also beat Asan Yanikov, after which he had a headache. Yashar Muiedinov stated about the use of physical force and psychological pressure in prison, Ekrem Krosh – about the use of violence in the pre-trial detention centre.

• At least 12 Crimean political prisoners were held in penal isolation cells throughout 2024. 

The Crimean political prisoners sent to penal isolation cells by the occupiers in 2024 included Eskender Abdulhaniev, Teimur Abdullaiev, Refat Alimov, Ruslan Zeitullaiev, Ernes Seitosmanov, Oleh Prykhodko, Rustem Osmanov, Remzi Bekirov, Rustem Huhuryk, Rustem Seitkhalilov, Ivan Yatskin, and Muslim Aliiev. In addition, the “Supreme Court” of Crimea rejected Eldar Kantymyrov‘s appeal regarding his repeated placement to a penal isolation cell. 

• 4 persons illegally detained and one person under house arrest were referred for compulsory psychiatric examination. 

Last year, Aziz Azizov, Enver Khalilaiev, Arsen Kashka, and Vahid Mustafaiev were sent for forced psychiatric examination. Former Imam Remzi Kurtnezirov, who is under house arrest due to disability, underwent forced psychiatric examination in humiliating conditions. 

• According to various sources, from 41 to 67 Crimean political prisoners require immediate medical care. At least 4 persons are serving illegal sentences despite having illnesses that prevent them from being held in custody under the russian legislation. 

According to various sources, from 41 to 67 Crimean political prisoners need immediate medical care. In particular, Rustem Huhuryk and Teimur Abdullaiev lost hearing in one ear. Rustem Seitmemetov, who previously suffered a heart attack and heart surgery, received the third group of disability. russian courts have refused to release Amet Suleimanov and Tofik Abdulhaziiev, despite the presence of illnesses that prevent them from being held in custody. After the Military Court of Appeals upheld the verdict, russian police took blind Oleksandr Sizikov into custody, refusing to show him the court decision, threatening to use force, and not allowing him to pack his belongings. The “court” in Crimea also sentenced Nariman Derman to 3.5 years in prison despite an illness that prevents him from being held in custody. 

• We recorded the beatings by russian security forces of civilians who criticized the occupation authorities, listened to Ukrainian songs, and shouted Ukrainian slogans. 

russian security forces beat Serhii Yeremenko and the blind Ihor Nikitenko, who criticized the occupation authorities on the Internet, and the Avdieiev spouses, who listened to Ukrainian songs and shouted Ukrainian slogans. 

We would like to remind you that the case of Crimean political prisoner Oleksandr Sizikov demonstrates a wide range of human rights violations and war crimes by the russian federation, including inhumane treatment that threatens his life and health. 

According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are prohibited under all circumstances and, according to Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, constitute war crimes in the context of the russian occupation of Crimea. However, torture and cruel treatment are a systemic phenomenon in places of detention in the occupied Crimea and on the russian territory.  

It is important to note that CrimeaSOS has identified these forms of torture and cruel treatment based on the data we have collected. As the territories remain occupied, information about all possible cases and forms of violations is incomplete. This also does not mean that other forms of torture and cruel treatment are not used.