Repression on the Rise: Crimean Tatars Face Growing Struggles | The Gaze

The situation for Crimean Tatars is taking a bleak turn as repression intensifies on the peninsula. Russian occupation authorities in Crimea have carried out a series of arrests targeting 22 Crimean Tatars, imposing sentences ranging from 1 to 7 days of detention. Their offense? Standing outside a court building to support their loved ones who were facing legal proceedings. Despite not violating any laws, these individuals were apprehended while waiting for verdicts regarding the fate of activists detained on August 24. Shockingly, those detained were only family members of the defendants in the ongoing criminal case. Amid these unjust actions, two Crimean Tatars endured physical harm due to police intervention: 71-year-old Enver Seitmemetov had his arm twisted, while Eldar Aliiev sustained bruises on his face. Stay informed about the challenges faced by Crimean Tatars as they navigate these troubling times under the Russian occupation.