Memorial human rights center names defendants in ‘February 26 case’ political prisoners
Russian “Memorial” human rights center has recognized the defendants in the “February 26 case” (Ahtem Chiygoz, Ali Asanov and Mustafa Degermendzhy) as political prisoners.
This is stated on the website of the organization.
“The political motive becomes extremely apparent if to take into account that only representatives of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, who supported the Euromaidan, are persecuted,” the report says.
The human rights activists say that Russia is violating the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
The human rights activists demand the immediate release of all those arrested in “February 26 case” and termination of cases over “mass disorder” in the Crimean parliament.
According to the center, Ahtem Chiygoz faces 8-15 years in prison. Ali Asanov, Mustafa Degermendzhy and a number of defendants in the case, who are not under arrest, – Eskender Kantemirov, Eskender Emirvaliev, Arsen Yunusov – face a sentence of up to eight years in prison. Earlier, defendants in the case Taliat Yunusov and Eskender Nebiev, pleaded guilty, received 2.5 years of probation.
As a reminder, January 15, the prosecutors read the indictment to the defendants – Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Ahtem Chiygoz and Crimean Tatar activists Ali Asanov, Mustafa Degermendzhy.
They are accused of participating in mass actions near the building of the Crimean parliament on February 26, 2014. Two protesters were killed in clashes between supporters and opponents of the Russian government.
