In the shadow of #Donbas, Ukrainians in occupied Crimea are fighting another war against #Russia – 15 Crimean Tatars were arrested today for coming to a local court to support their friend, also Crimean Tatar, who is prosecuted for an online comment from 2017.
#Crimea, THREAD:
#Crimea, THREAD:
Since Russia occupied Crimea in 2014, it has been severely repressing any Ukraine sympathizers on the peninsula, mainly Crimean Tatars – a Ukrainian ethnic minority native to Crimea. Since 2014, 169 Crimean Tatars were prosecuted – nearly 3/4 of all political prisoners in Crimea.
Crimean Tatars were forced to flee their home, Crimea, three times: a) when the Russian Empire annexed Crimea in 1783, b) when the Soviet regime deported at least 200,000 Crimean Tatars in 1944 (this is recognized as genocide) and c) when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
Crimean Tatars have always opposed the Kremlin's regime in Crimea, for which they are being punished until today.
Illegal house raids, mass arrests, and arbitrary imprisonment have become the new normal for these people.
Illegal house raids, mass arrests, and arbitrary imprisonment have become the new normal for these people.
Most of the persecuted Crimean Tatars are accused of terrorism, and specifically – being members of Hizb ut-Tahrir – an international Islamic org., which operates legally in Ukraine and most of Europe, but is banned in Russia. UA gov. says the charges are "blatantly fabricated".
I've spent many long hours talking to lawyers and activists in Crimea.
The charges are bogus – anything, from owning a Quran and discussing Islam to organizing events in a mosque, will land you in prison. Most "witnesses" in these cases are secret...
The charges are bogus – anything, from owning a Quran and discussing Islam to organizing events in a mosque, will land you in prison. Most "witnesses" in these cases are secret...
...who are very often locals who have issues with immigration services, so they are pressured to "testify" to avoid punishment.
Russia also brings "experts" in Islam who interpret people's writings as radical and threatening.
Routinely, C.T. are denied translators in court.
Russia also brings "experts" in Islam who interpret people's writings as radical and threatening.
Routinely, C.T. are denied translators in court.
In Crimea, hundreds of children have to grow up without their fathers, who've been sentenced to 10,15,20 years in prison. They are subject to life-long trauma, having to endure 4 a.m. raids, police visits, and trips to courtrooms and prisons to see their parent for just a moment.
Please, see a fantastic photo-project,"Born After Arrest", by a prominent local activist Mumine Saliyeva – bit.ly/3JG7dPR.
It tells stories of babies and kids of the imprisoned. It will break your heart, but you will get a glimpse of what Russia is responsible for.
It tells stories of babies and kids of the imprisoned. It will break your heart, but you will get a glimpse of what Russia is responsible for.
Crimean Tatars live in a constant state of fear, yet they are some of the most inspiring, brave, and remarkable individuals I know. They never give up, they continue being loyal to their religion and their traditions. They persevere.
And they will never bow to the Kremlin.
And they will never bow to the Kremlin.
This is the reality of anywhere Putin goes.
In the words of @mrsorokaa, "Russia's main export is pain and suffering".
In the words of @mrsorokaa, "Russia's main export is pain and suffering".
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
