Crimean civic journalist Ernes Ametov sentenced to 11 years in prison by the Russian occupiers

Crimean civic journalist Ernes Ametov sentenced to 11 years in prison by the Russian occupiers
Photo: Crimean Solidarity

On December 29, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced the civic journalist Ernes Ametov to 11 years in the penal colony. The occupiers accused him of membership in a terroristic organization and an attempted coup d’état.

The Russian court revised its previous acquittal imposed in respect of the Crimean Tatar journalist in September 2020 when the latter had been released in the courtroom due to the lack of evidence. That was the first episode of justification of a defendant in the so-called ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir cases’ not just in occupied Crimea but on the territory of neighboring Russia as well. However, in March 2022, the court of appeal revised the decision of the Southern District Military Court and sent the case back for reconsideration.

Apart from 11 years in prison, the court banned Ametov from leaving the territory of Crimea after his release, organizing and participating in public events, changing the place of residence, and leaving the house from 10 pm till 6 am. Into the bargain, the journalist will be required to appear at the specified authority for registration twice a month after his release.

This is what Ernes Ametov said during his final statement in the court:

"I am a man of faith, and I accept my destiny. I want to say that if God was displeased with what’s happening here, it would not have happened. That is His intent, therefore. I obey Your any sentence; it will be just. But I reject the false charges brought against me, and I want to say: you are doing your own judgment but let God do His. Thank you."

The Russian occupiers arrested Ernes Ametov on October 11, 2017. The Crimean Tatar journalists and activists Seyran Saliyev, Marlen Asanov, Timur Ibrahimov, Server Zekiryaiev and Memet Belialov had been detained together with him.

At least 158 Ukrainian citizens are imprisoned or held in house arrest in Russia or occupied Crimea by now. They have all been detained for political reasons. Among them there are 16 journalists, including 12 Crimean Tatar civic journalists.

december 30, 2022
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