The EU does not recognize the Russian laws in the occupied Crimea

The European Union in connection with the detention of Crimean Tatars in the occupied Crimea on 7 July, has demanded from Russia to stop pressure on the Crimean Tatar community. The statement of the European external action service was published on 8 July.

“The European Union considers the detention of the Crimean Tatars politically motivated and because they were detained in accordance with the Russian legislation the Russian “authorities” on the territory of Ukraine, illegal from the point of view of international law. The EU does not recognize the action of the Russian legislation in Crimea and Sevastopol and expects all illegally detained Ukrainians will be released immediately,” the statement stresses.

The EU expects that “Russia will stop the pressure on the Crimean Tatar community” and guarantees international standards of human rights on the Peninsula.

“The European Union’s unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” – said in the EEAs.

Mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in different parts of the Crimea began about 4.00 7 July. According to the movement “the Crimean solidarity”, on the site of investigation was the staff of the center for extremism prevention (center “e”), of the FSB, “Berkut” and riot police.

After raids by Russian law enforcement officers detained Emil Ziyadinov, Ismet Ibrahimov, Alim Sufyanova, Seyran Khairetdinova, Alexander Sizikova and Vadim Bektemirova. The search also took place at Delavera memetova, but memetova was not at home. Six detainees, according to the “Crimean solidarity,” was taken to the FSB Department in Simferopol.

“Kryminform” with reference to information of the Russian FSB reported that detainees charged with involvement in the organization “Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami” (in Russia it is recognized as a terrorist; in most countries, including in Ukraine, its activity is permitted).

Russia annexed Crimea after the violent siege of Ukrainian military units and illegal referendum on 16 March 2014. The annexation of Crimea by Russia is not recognised by Ukraine and most countries of the world.

After the annexation of Crimea, according to human rights international organization Human Rights Watch, the situation with human rights on the Peninsula deteriorated. Under various pretexts, including combating extremism, the authorities persecute people who dare to openly criticize Russia’s actions on the Peninsula, especially the Crimean Tatars.

Russian security forces regularly carry out searches in the homes of the Crimean Tatars. Before this massive investigative actions took place in March 2020. Then arrested four Crimean Tatars.

According to the Deputy permanent presidential representative in Crimea takeway the Tamils, after the annexation of the Peninsula left more than 25 thousand Crimean Tatars.