Arrested Crimean Tatar, Ukrainian citizen Lenie Umerova returned as a result of an exchange

Lenie Umerova, a Crimean Tatar who had been imprisoned in the Russian Federation for almost two years and accused of espionage, returned to Ukraine as a result of an exchange. A total of 49 people returned to Ukraine, including some of those who defended Azovstal.

Recall that in December 2022, Umerova tried to travel from Kyiv to Crimea to see her sick father. Given the political situation, she transited through a number of European countries. Upon entering the Russian Federation, she had to go through a checkpoint in North Ossetia. After crossing the border with Russia, she was detained, a protocol was drawn up on violating the rules for crossing the border, and she was sent to the Temporary Detention Center for Foreigners in Vladikavkaz.

In March 2023, the court ruled that Umerova did not pose a danger to Russia, she was released, but almost immediately detained again and a report was drawn up on disobedience to police officers. The girl was arrested three times for 15 days, and then accused of espionage without giving reasons or details. Later, the media reported that the girl was collecting data on Russian military facilities and equipment of the Vostok group.

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