Human rights activists: Bekir Degermendzhi is unconsciously handcuffed

Ukrainian human rights activists made a joint statement in connection with the sharp health deterioration of prisoner Bekir Degermendzhi, who is accused of alleged extortion.

Representatives of human rights and public organizations demanded that Degermendzhi received a prompt medical assistance.

«At the moment Degermendzhi's health state is extremely complicated. He has lung edema and heart failure. For now he is in a medical dream on artificial ventilation. According to his relatives and a lawyer, the prisoner is in the 7th city hospital in Simferopol, where he is unconsciously kept handcuffed. Degermendzhi’s wife and a lawyer are not allowed to enter the ward, and de facto police officers are near the ward, opposite the hospital there are a large number of so-called law enforcers», it is said in the statement.

Human rights activists demanded from Russia to immediately release all prisoners arrested on suspicion of alleged extortion and dismiss a case.

«We appeal to the Ukrainian government and other states and international organizations to monitor Bekir Degemendzhi’s health state, to assist in providing him with qualified medical care and to release, as well as to provide with a fair examination of the charges against him and other defendants», human rights activists said.

The full text of the statement can be found on the website of NGO «Krym-SOS».

At night on December 14, 2017 a lawyer Edem Semedlyaev told that Bekir Degemendzhi was taken to the intensive care unit into Simferopol hospital from the detention center. Earlier, he informed that the prisoner has not slept for several days, since it is difficult for him to be in a lying position. As it is known, Bekir Degermendzhi suffers from a bronchial asthma. He is a disabled person of the third group. Degermendzhi needs periodic medical examinations and taking medications.

On December 12, 2017 Edem Semedlyaev demanded his client’s hospitalization. The Crimean Tatar needed the lungs ventilation.