Hennadii Osmak and Nariman Abliazov are political prisoners
A journalist and a businessman, both residents of Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast, have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to three and a half years in a strict regime penal colony on charges of participating in the Çelebicihan Battalion
The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Hennadii Osmak and Nariman Abliazov political prisoners. The two men were convicted of participation, on the territory of a foreign state, in an armed group not provided for by the legislation of that state, for alleged involvement in the activities of the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. Their criminal prosecution and conviction violated their rights to a fair trial. The prosecution and conviction of the journalist Osmak also violated his rights to freedom of expression and dissemination of information. We demand the release of Hennadii Osmak and Nariman Abliazov and the dropping of all criminal charges against them.
What were the charges against Hennadii Osmak and Nariman Abliazov?
Hennadii Osmak, a Ukrainian journalist from Henichesk, was editor-in-chief of the local online publication Novyi Vizyt. When the Russian occupation of the city began in February 2022, he refused to cooperate with the Russians and announced he was ceasing involvement in the media.
On 7 March 2024, Osmak was detained in Henichesk, according to media reports following a tip-off. He was charged with participating in an illegal armed group (Article 208, Part 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). According to the prosecution, in February 2016 he had allegedly joined the Crimean Tatar Noman Çelebicihan Battalion, provided the unit with information and purchased food supplies.
On 15 August 2024, an occupation court in Kherson Oblast sentenced Hennadii Osmak to three years and two months in a strict regime penal colony.
Nariman Abliazov, a businessman and public figure from Henichesk, was involved in the hotel business and charity work.
On 4 September 2023, FSB officers detained Abliazov and searched his home and hotel. Like Osmak, he was also charged with participation in an illegal armed group (Article 208, Part 2, CC RF). The investigative authorities claimed Abliazov had been a member of the Çelebicihan Battalion in 2014–2015, provided financial support to the unit and participated in the blockade of Crimea.
On 6 August 2024, an occupation court in Kherson Oblast sentenced Nariman Abliazov to three and a half years in a strict regime penal colony, with the first year to be served in a cell-type prison.
Why do we consider Hennadii Osmak and Nariman Abliazov political prisoners?
Even if Hennadii Osmak and Nariman Abliazov had been members of the Çelebicihan Battalion, their criminal prosecution would have been unjustified. You can read more about our analysis of such prosecutions here.
However, the very fact of their involvement in this Battalion is questionable. It is known that Hennadii Osmak worked for many years in local media and wrote about events in Henichesk and its vicinity, including the civilian blockade of Crimea. Such work cannot be regarded as ‘information and propaganda support’ or ‘participation in an illegal armed group.’
Nariman Abliazov was accused of assisting compatriots who had fled Crimea by providing building materials, accommodation and transport. Even if Abliazov did indeed make his hotels available for accommodation, including to members of the Çelebicihan Battalion, these actions cannot be considered participation in an illegal armed group.
Finally, the criminal cases were heard by courts established by the Russian Federation in the occupied territory of Ukraine, applying Russian criminal law in contravention of Russian and international law.
The detailed descriptions of the cases of Hennadii Osmak and Nariman Abliazov and of our position are available on our website.
How can you help?
You can write to Hennadii Osmak at the following address:
RU:
601967, Владимирская область, Ковровский р-н, п. Мелехово, ул. Первомайская, д. 261А, ФКУ ИК-6 УФСИН России по Владимирской области, Осьмак Геннадий Васильевич, 1969 г. р.
EN:
Hennadii Vasyliovych Osmak (born 1969), Penal Colony No. 6, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Vladimir Oblast, 261 A Pervomayskaya Street, Melekhovo, Kovrovsky district, Vladimir Oblast, 601967, Russia.
You can also send emails via F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), ZT (for payment with all bank cards), and Memorial-France (free of charge).
Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.
If you have any information as to the place of detention of Nariman Abliazov, please contact us by email at [email protected]
You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.
