Ilmi Umerov’s Family Appeal to Ukrainian Authorities (TEXT)

Ilmi Umerov’s Family appeal to Ukrainian Authorities to take emergency measures with the goal of the immediate and unconditional release of 59-year-old Ilmi Umerov, a Crimean Tatar activist, who has been involuntarily confined since August 18, 2016, in a psychiatric hospital.

To the President of Ukraine 
To Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
To Council of Ministers of Ukraine
To international intergovernmental and non-govermental organizations
To Ukrainian and international human rights organizations

 

APPEAL

 

Ilmi Umerov, 59, detained illegally in mental hospital by Russian authorities in Crimea. He is a member of the Crimean Tatar national movement since young age and active proponent for the Crimean Tatars return after the deportation. Ilmi Umerov was the Head of Bakhchisaray district administration, deputy Prime Minister of the government of Crimea, and vice-speaker of the Parliament of Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Nowadays he is deputy chairman of the Mejlis of Crimean Tatars.

Ilmi Umerov is completely mentally healthy but he suffers from a number of diseases: Parkinson`s disease (III degree), hypertension, diabetes and operated heart.

Both political persecution and forced detention in a mental hospital nowadays are caused only by his position and its public statements that Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014 is an integral part of Ukraine.

The criminal case under article 280.1 part 2 of the Criminal Code («calls to violation of the Russian Federation territorial integrity by means of media and the Internet») was initiated against Ilmi Umerov on May 12, 2016. The same day the search was held in his house by occupation authorities and the court has decided restriction of freedom of movement. The reason for accusation was the ATR channel broadcast, where Umerov said in the Crimean Tatars language «Sanctions against Russia should be reinforced in order to force them to leave the Crimea and Donbas». After that there were a series of interrogations and examinations including photo-technical and linguistic expertizes.

After several court hearings the investigator I. Skripka submited a request for holding a compulsory inpatient forensic psychiatric examination against Ilmi Umerov.

On August 11, during the court proceeding regarding this request, Ilmi Umerov’s condition deteriorated sharply. He was hospitalized in preinfarction condition from the courtroom. Nevertheless, the court ruled to put Umerov into mental hospital for examination.
Despite the poor health and being on treatment in the one of the city hospitals cardiology department, as well as the absence of a decision on the appeal filed by lawyers, Umerov was forcibly taken to the mental hospital in Simferopol − to the ninth department of inpatient forensic psychiatric examination for not in custody persons on August 18th.

Ilmi Umerov health seriously deteriorated on August 21st. Due to inadequate detention conditions, inability to ensure his diet which is vital for diabetics (presently injections are just twice a day, interval between dinner and breakfast is 17 hours) Umerov lost consciousness. He was saved just by timely rendered aid as his relatives were near at this moment. Constant pressure drop, headachies, unsatisfactory test results and general body weakness are supervised for the last days for the following days.
Ilmi Umerov needs the regular qualified cardiologists and internists aid and special meals. It is impossible to provide him with an appropriate care in the current conditions.

Actions taken by the Russian authorities against Ilmi Umerov are illegal and violate international law. The appeal was filed on the decision to appoint a psychiatric examination which was not considered. In this way the judgment has not come into force yet. Created in the mental hospital conditions, such as the regular meals absence, unsatisfactory sanitary conditions, qualified medical aid absence, are the threats to Ilmi Umerov’s life and also are the tortures and inhuman treatment.

In connection with the above, we appeal to the Ukrainian authorities, to International organizations, to Human Rights organizations with the call to activate and consolidate efforts on releasing of Ilmi Umerov. Also, we call for increasing the pressure on Russia with the demand to stop the persecution of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people deputy chairman Ilmi Umerov, to close the criminal case against him and to release him immediately.

Spouse – Maye Umerova
Son – Suleyman Umerov
Daughter – Zera Umerova
Daughter – Ayshe Umerova