A Crimean Tatar political prisoner illegally held in prison was transferred to a colony
Crimean Tatar Arsen Abkhairov was transferred from the Yeniseisk prison in the Krasnoyarsk Territory to a maximum security colony in the Republic of Buryatia. Moreover, he should have been transferred to a colony more than six months ago.
Prison is the most severe form of punishment in the Russian penitentiary system. Prisoners are constantly in a cell and have limited movements. Sports, training or work activities are not permitted in prison.
In 2020, the Southern District Military Court sentenced businessman Arsen Abkhairov to 13 years in prison. He was accused of belonging to the Islamic party Hizb-ut-Tahrir, banned in Russia. In Ukraine and other countries of the world, the organization operates without restrictions at the level of national legislation.
The first two years, taking into account the period of detention in the pre-trial detention center, the prisoner had to spend in prison. However, the time in the pre-trial detention center was not counted towards the prison term. According to the lawyer, the actions of the Federal Penitentiary Service are illegal. In September last year, an attempt was made to challenge the court's decision, but it was unsuccessful.
