CrimeaSOS: russian security forces conducted at least 45 arbitrary searches in Crimea in 2024
10 / 03 / 2025
CrimeaSOS recorded at least 45 unlawful searches conducted by occupation forces on the peninsula during 2024. There were 15 searches in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 10 – in the homes of Crimean Tatars who were falsely accused of involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, 4 – journalists, and another 4 – activists of the Crimean Tatar national movement.
In particular, searches were conducted in the homes of Nazim Memetov, a member of the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar people, Ilver Ametov, the head of the Sudak branch of the Mejlis, Lutfiie Zudiieva, a human rights activist and journalist, Idris Yurdamov, the head of the independent Islamic community “Eski Qirim”, Izet Saifullin, the imam of the community, and even at the local mosque, as well as in the homes of Bekir Mamutov, the editor-in-chief of the Qırım newspaper, Seiran Ibrahimov, the newspaper’s founder, and the newspaper’s editorial office.
In addition, in March 2024, the third-largest wave of searches in 10 years of occupation took place in Crimea. That day, russian security forces raided the homes of 10 Crimean Tatars. All were accused of alleged involvement in the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the Russian Federation. Nine people were detained, and one was sent under house arrest due to numerous illnesses.
Arbitrary searches and raids violate the right to privacy and family life. They are most often conducted unlawfully, with unjustified use of force and seizure of prohibited literature, weapons, drugs, or other fabricated evidence, which russian security forces often plant on Crimean residents. Such actions have a particularly negative impact on large Crimean Tatar families. In addition, the process of searching and detaining fathers may constitute inhumane treatment of children.
It is worth recalling that in early November 2024, the occupiers searched the home of Rustem Kiamiliev and Lilia Hemedzhi, lawyers who defend political prisoners.