A Crimean Tatar sent to a pre-trial detention centre in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case has reported a deterioration in their health.

Enver Khalilaev, 58, who is a defendant in the third Dzhankoy Hizb ut-Tahrir case and is being held in Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don, has reported a deterioration in his health while in custody. This was reported by Crimean Solidarity, citing a source.

According to a contact from the human rights group, medical staff have found that Khalilaev has an umbilical hernia. It has been revealed that the operation to remove it cannot be carried out while the court proceedings against him are ongoing.

Nevertheless, according to the Crimean Tatar, staff from the medical unit have already visited him, and he has scheduled the surgery with them.

Khalilaev has also complained about hearing problems, which have caused him to suffer headaches. According to Crimean Solidarity’s contact, the headaches could be the result of vascular issues in the head or the fact that the defendant is using a hearing aid.

At the start of July, during a court hearing to extend the pre-trial restrictions on the defendants in the third Dzhankoy case, Enver Khalilaev’s court-appointed lawyer stated that his client had illnesses that were worsening his condition. He noted that the Crimean Tatar suffers from otitis, cardiovascular diseases, an umbilical hernia, and other illnesses.

Despite this, the court extended Khalilaev’s detention in the pre-trial centre until 13 October.

• The arrest of Khalilaev and five other defendants in the third Dzhankoy Hizb ut-Tahrir case became known in March 2024. They have all been accused of involvement in the activities of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which Russia designated as a terrorist organisation in 2003. Enver Khalilaev has been charged with participation in a terrorist organisation (Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code).
• Five Crimean Tatars—Ali Mamutov, Arsen Kashka, Vokhid Moustafaev, Nariman Ametov, and Enver Khalilaev—have been sent to the pre-trial detention centre by the court. All are currently held in Remand Prison No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia.
• After being detained, an elderly former imam at a mosque in the village of Lobanovo, Remzi Kurtnizirov, was placed under house arrest due to his serious health problems, according to Crimean Solidarity.
• Since January this year, the third Dzhankoy case has been under consideration at the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. According to human rights advocates, the defendants “deny involvement in terrorist activity and point to pressure from security forces.” Lawyers have also highlighted “systemic violations of the rights of the accused,” in particular, limited access to medical care and the presumption of innocence being breached.