Russia Accuses Detained Crimean Tatar’s Daughter of Extremism

Russian security service officers searched the Alushta home of detained Crimean Tatar Muslim Aliyev on the morning of July 19 as part of an investigation into his daughter, Gulsum Aliyeva.

Aliyeva, who is an activist with civic initiative Crimean Solidary, which distributes information about Crimean political prisoners, was taken to the investigator’s office for questioning following the search. She was released after midday.

Activists and rights groups report that authorities have launched an investigation into Aliyeva’s work with Crimean Solidarity. She is suspected of extremism. Officers confiscated mobile phones and other technology during the search on July 19.

READ MORE: Crimean Tatars Fight To Protect Themselves Against Russian Repressions

Following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, authorities began to target Crimean Tatars, many of whom opposed Moscow’s presence on the peninsula.

Aliyeva’s father, Muslim Aliyev was detained in February 2016 in Yalta alongside Emir-Usein Kuku, Enver Bekirov, and Vadim Siruk. They are among some two dozen Crimean Muslims that have been charged with involvement in a terrorist organization for alleged links to Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The organization is legal in Ukraine and most other countries but has been outlawed as a terrorist group in Russia.

Crimean Tatar Resource Center communications manager Elvir Sagirman reported that 56 searches of Crimean Tatar homes have been carried out in the first half of 2018 on the occupied peninsula.
Sagirman explained that most searches were connected to the alleged “spread of extremist materials in social networks” and Crimean Tatars’ involvement with banned organizations.