Osmanov Rustem Seytbekirovich

The persecution of Crimean Tatars in the case of the Noman Chelebidzhikhan battalion due to their support for Ukraine and disagreement with the actions of the occupation authorities in Crimea. The Noman Chelebidzhikhan Battalion was created by participants in the 'Civilian Blockade of Crimea' action, who advocated for the cessation of trade with Crimea and in September 2015 blocked checkpoints." "Its founder - businessman Lenur Islyamov - insists that the battalion was never a military unit, and after being refused registration, it turned into a public association 'Asker'. Russian authorities in Crimea repeatedly detained and tried local residents for participating in the battalion. On June 1, 2022, the Supreme Court of Russia recognized the 'Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion named after Noman Chelebidzhikhan' as a terrorist organization. Accusing him of involvement with the Noman Chelebidzhikhan Battalion could encompass significantly broader categories of Crimean Tatars. In the case of the battalion, much less evidence base is needed. That is, it is not necessary to plant religious literature, it is not necessary to conduct wiretapping in mosques on political or religious topics. It is enough to simply find a Crimean Tatar demonstrating disloyalty.