CrimeaSOS: searches in the house of Nazim Memetov repeat the scenario of the cases of Ilver Ametov, Eldar Mensitov and Nariman Dzhelial

In the temporarily occupied Crimea, russian security forces searched the house of the Deputy head of the Central Election Commission of Qurultay Nazim Memetov. It took place on January 23 at 6:00 a.m., the “Crimean Solidarity” association reported.

According to the decision of the so-called judge of the occupation Kyivskyi District Court of the city of Simferopol, the search of Memetov’s house took place within the framework of Article 222 of the Criminal Code of the russian federation, part 6 (“Illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, forwarding or carrying of weapons, main parts of firearms, ammunition”).

This article has been typically used for the persecution of the Crimean Tatars over the past two years. According to the same article, a criminal case was initiated against Ilver Ametov, the head of the Sudak Regional Mejlis. Crimean Tatar activist Eldar Mensitov was arrested for his alleged involvement in blowing up a gas pipeline. The possession of firearms was incriminated against Nariman Dzhelial, the Deputy head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, who is now sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment. 

During the search, Memetov was not informed about the status of the criminal case. This is not the first time that the occupiers have used this practice: during 2023, the Russians conducted dozens of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars. 

Nazim Memetov is the Deputy head of the CEC of Qurultay, the assembly of Crimean Tatars. Representatives of the Qurultay appoint the Mejlis (representative body of the Crimean Tatars) by secret ballot. In 2016, russia recognized the Mejlis as an extremist organization and banned its activities on the peninsula. 

Persecution of representatives of the Mejlis and Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people is a violation of international norms. These actions violate the declaration of the United Nations on fundamental rights and freedoms of the indigenous population of the Crimean Tatars.

We would like to remind you that in 2014, the occupying authorities of the peninsula banned the entry of the head of the Mejlis, Refat Chubarov, into the temporarily occupied Crimea and russia for 5 years. In total, during the years of occupation, about 30 members of the Mejlis were oppressed by russia.