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Crimean Tatar activist Memet Belyalov, sentenced to 18 years in the “Hizb ut-Tahrir case,” has been transferred from Penal Colony No. 9 in the settlement of Parfino, Novgorod region (north-west Russia). This was reported by Crimean Solidarity, citing his wife, Edie Belyalova.

According to her, he was removed from the colony on 11 July because the penitentiary institution was dissolved. He only had time to let his wife know that he was being sent out on the road. Until recently, his family had no idea where Belyalov was or where he was being taken.

Three days ago, the Crimean Tatar man called his wife again and told her he had arrived at Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Veliky Novgorod (north-west Russia). That same day, he was meant to be taken further, but he does not know to where.

As Edie Belyalova noted, while he is in transit there is “absolutely no” way for her to contact her husband.

Belyalov was transferred to Penal Colony No. 9 in Novgorod region in autumn 2022. According to his wife, he was repeatedly sent to a punishment cell on various pretexts—for example, because he supposedly did not manage to put on a long-sleeved shirt in time while performing ablutions, when guards entered the cell.

  • The second Bakhchysarai “Hizb ut-Tahrir” case was opened in October 2017. Most of the defendants in this case are activists from Crimean Solidarity, a civil movement created to support persecuted Crimean Tatars.
  • In September 2020, the defendants in the second Bakhchysarai “Hizb ut-Tahrir” case—Server Mustafaev, Marlen Asanov, Memet Belyalov, Timur Ibragimov, Server Zekiryaev, Seyran Saliev and Edem Smailov—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 13 to 19 years on charges of organising the activities of a terrorist organisation and participation in it (Parts 1 and 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code), as well as on the charge of preparing to violently seize power (Article 278 in conjunction with Part 1 of Article 30 of the Criminal Code). In March 2021, the appellate court in Vlasikha upheld the sentences.
  • The Memorial Human Rights Centre has recognised the defendants in the second Bakhchysarai “Hizb ut-Tahrir” case as political prisoners.