Health of citizen journalist Suleimanov deteriorates in the Simferopol PTDC

The health of citizen journalist Amet Suleimanov, who was detained by Russia on April 6, has deteriorated in the Simferopol pre-trial detention center, reports the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

"Amet asked me to buy him some necessary drugs that would ease his breathing, relieve spasms and shortness of breath. The other day, I was dealing with medicine certificates, paperwork, because these things are not that simple," said the wife of the political prisoner, Lilia Lyumanova.

On October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don announced they found citizen journalist Amet Suleimanov guilty. He was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment under Art. 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (participation in the activities of a terrorist organization) due to alleged involvement in the Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, according to the FSB of the Russian Federation.

As reported by the President's Representative Office in the ARC, Amet Suleimanov is waiting in line for a heart valve implantation. He suffers from arterial and mitral insufficiency. This condition is included in the government's list of diseases that prevent detention.

He was initially taken to the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don for a hearing, but was later allowed to appear via video call from the Crimean Garrison Military Court. Even so, the defendant had a hard time sitting through the court sessions: sometimes they had to be interrupted so that he could see a doctor. Despite their numerous claims to preserve Suleimanov's health, the Southern District Military Court decided to move him to a high security prison for 12 years.