Ukraine: Russian Occupying Forces Detain Lutfiye Zudiyeva for Reporting on Court Case in Crimea
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands an end to Russia’s persecution of independent journalists.
Location: Ukraine, Simferopol
Date: July 27, 2023
A journalist from the media outlet Graty, Lutfiye Zudiyeva, was detained by Russian security forces while carrying out an editorial assignment in occupied Crimea. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the treatment of the press, and in particular Tatar journalists, by the Russian forces.
On July 27, Russian security forces detained Graty’s Lutfiye Zudiyeva as she attempted to report on an appeal hearing at the occupying 'Supreme Court' of Crimea regarding the case of three Crimean Tatar activists Nariman Celal and the Akhtemov brothers. The activists were sentenced in September 2022 to 45 years in prison for alleged sabotage, smuggling, and possession of explosives. Violations, lack of evidence, and political motives marred the trial.
Zudiyeva, who has reported on trials and human rights issues in Crimea for Graty since 2019, was detained with 12 other Crimean Tatar activists and journalists after being denied entry to the courthouse. The journalist and three other detainees received fines, while journalist Kulamet Ibraiimov — who also covers the prosecution of human rights activists in the region — was sentenced to five days of imprisonment.
According to a reporter at the scene, Zudiyeva had presented her press card to the security forces, explaining she was on an assignment. Instead of allowing the reporter to do her job, eyewitnesses say officers threatened and pressured the journalist to provide fingerprints and saliva samples at the Zaliznychnyi District Police Department of Aqmescit (Simferopol).
Occupying authorities released the journalist after fining her 12,000 rubles (approximately $130) for allegedly participating in a mass gathering “with the purpose of subsequently giving information to the media.”
Russia’s Continued Persecution of Crimean Tatars and Journalists
Since Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014, the indigenous Crimean Tatar people have endured systematic violations of their rights.
Russian security forces have closed the sole Crimean Tatar TV channel, regularly conducting searches and arrests within the Tatar community. Authorities continue to impose harsh prison sentences on Crimean Tatar journalists and those advocating for their rights.
There are currently 15 journalists imprisoned on the peninsula. Ukrainian citizen journalist Iryna Danylovych is serving seven years in prison for exposing flaws in the healthcare system in Crimea. The case against her is politically motivated and violates international law. She has experienced severe health problems while in prison and received no medical care.
Authorities also targeted nine journalists involved with the Crimean Solidarity group. Four serve sentences ranging from 14 to 19 years on bogus “terrorism” charges.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the detention and fining of Lutfiye Zudiyeva. Despite identifying herself as a member of the press, she was taken to a police station and fined. The occupying forces are determined to persecute journalists and Crimean Tatars through arbitrary detentions and severe prison sentences. We call on the occupying administration in Crimea to cease targeting members of the press and immediately release all imprisoned journalists.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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