Crimean Tatar political prisoners complained of deteriorating health
Crimean Tatar Teymur Abdullaev, held in a colony in Salavat (Bashkortostan), complained of severe headaches and pain in his eyes. His mother demanded that the head of the colony's medical service examine her son.
In June 2019, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced brothers Teymur and Uzeir Abdullayev to 16.5 and 13 years in prison, respectively. Crimean Tatars were detained for involvement in the political activities of the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Russia. On the territory of Ukraine and many other countries it operates without restrictions at the level of national legislation.
Another Crimean Tatar political prisoner, Rustem Sheykhaliev, complained about the lack of medical care in pre-trial detention center No. 3 of Novocherkassk, Rostov region. He suspects he has heart failure, and the administration, according to him, does not respond to requests for an electrocardiogram. Sheikhaliev also spoke about the unsanitary conditions in the pre-trial detention center - there are a lot of rats in the cell and there is no water.
Former journalist Rustem Sheykhaliev was sentenced to 14 years in prison on the same charges as the Abdullaevs.
Crimean Tatars are recognized as political prisoners.
