Defense of Crimean Tatar political prisoners again criticized prosecution witnesses
In the Southern District Military Court, Crimean Tatars Abdulmedzhit Seytumerov, Ametkhan Umerov, Eldar Yakubov, Ruslan Asanov, Remzi Nimetulayev and Seidamet Mustafayev asked questions to a hidden prosecution witness. However, according to lawyer Emil Kurbedinov, he answered with routine memorized phrases.
“Over the years of legal proceedings, it has become obvious: the evidence of the prosecution in the form of secret witnesses has no legal force. They are directly dependent on law enforcement agencies or are agents of the state for a number of reasons and grounds,” the defense lawyer summarized. Earlier, the defendants filed a motion to challenge the entire panel of judges. However, the court did not grant their request. It is noteworthy that the defendants were repeatedly detained at rallies in support of other arrested Crimean Tatars. They were charged under articles on organizing a terrorist organization and participating in it based on membership in the Islamic party Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Crimean Muslims are regularly charged with involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Russia. Its alleged members are charged and sentenced to real terms based on holding meetings in apartments and reading religious literature.
