CrimeaSOS: russian-controlled courts handed down at least 66 illegal sentences against Crimean residents in 2024 

According to CrimeaSOS, in 2024, occupation courts in Crimea and courts of the russian federation of first instance issued illegal and dubious sentences against at least 66 people, courts of appeal issued resolutions against at least 25 people who had previously received illegal and dubious sentences, and courts of cassation issued resolutions against at least 33 people. 

The consideration of criminal cases was often accompanied by systematic violations of the right to a fair trial: consideration of cases by illegally established courts in the occupied territory, limited public access to court sessions, dependence of judges on security forces, use of fabricated evidence and statements made as a result of torture during the trial, inequality of the parties in the trial, etc.  

The most common charges were treason, assassination attempts on representatives of the occupation administration, espionage, arson, and the bombing of various facilities. In most cases, the courts of appeal and cassation left the sentences unchanged. 

In addition, cases against many residents of the occupied territories of Ukraine were considered by courts located in russia, contrary to the norms of international humanitarian law. 

In the courts of first instance, the most verdicts were handed down by the Southern District Military Court (Rostov-on-Don), the “Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea”, and the “Sevastopol City Court”. 

The appeal rulings were issued by the Military Court of Appeal (Moscow Region), the “Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea” and the Third Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction (Sochi). In most cases, appeals courts left the sentences unchanged. Only four of Jehovah’s Witnesses had their convictions overturned and their cases remanded for a new trial. 

The appeal courts sentenced 5 individuals to imprisonment instead of the milder punishment previously imposed by the courts of first instance. Pro-Ukrainian activist Oleh Prykhodko’s prison term was reduced by just one month.  

The courts of cassation, including the Fourth Court of Cassation of General Jurisdiction (Krasnodar) and the Supreme Court of the russian federation (Moscow), left the sentences unchanged, except when it concerned Dzhemil Hafarov, who died in pre-trial detention.

As a reminder, at least 56 people were subject to criminal prosecution on the occupied peninsula in 2024.  

It is important to note that the data provided is based on information collected by CrimeaSOS. Access to information is limited as the territory of Crimea remains occupied. This means that the actual number of illegal verdicts, court decisions of various instances, and other violations may be significantly higher.