Crimean Tatar political prisoner lost 10 kg in prison
Civil journalist Ernes Ametov, sentenced to 11 years, reported that he lost 10 kilograms in IK-12 in the Vologda region. According to his wife, the prison administration did not allow her to give her husband vitamins and medicine during a visit.
In 2017, a criminal case was opened against Ernes Ametov for “participation in a terrorist organization” – the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned in the Russian Federation. After three years of arrest, the man was acquitted. And then he was arrested again and sentenced to 11 years.
The case materials did not mention the storage of weapons and explosives, nor any plans to commit terrorist attacks. The indictment only included audio recordings of conversations in the mosque, in which the defendant discussed everyday, political and religious topics, and anonymous witnesses testified against the Crimean Tatar.
“The trial reminded me more of a conveyor belt for rolling up lids on cans – the process is so flawless and frighteningly fleeting, so perfectly tuned. As if they were not deciding a person’s fate, but rolling up another can. For the court, it’s just business,” Ernes Ametov said in court.
The Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir was recognized as terrorist by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Human rights activists believe that this decision was unfounded. In their opinion, the members of the organization are being prosecuted not for terrorism, but for actions against political repression and criticism of the Russian authorities.
