“Literally two weeks before Aider's detention, our youngest child was born, a long-awaited girl. And although my husband was on a pilgrimage then, he was constantly in touch with me, supporting me,” said Marharyta Dzhapparova, the wife of political prisoner Aider Dzhapparov.
Aider Dzhapparov was born on July 20, 1980. He's got a higher education and worked as an assembler and service engineer of various equipment. He is a father of eight minor children.
“Aider is a member of a religious community, as well as a human rights activist. When he was detained, he said that the most difficult thing for him was that now he would not be able to be useful to his people,” said the wife of the political prisoner.
On June 10, 2019, Aider Dzhapparov was arrested.
“It was very early, around six in the morning. Two by two, people in masks and military uniforms began to enter our yard. They locked me and the children in a separate room and started lobbying accusations at my husband. They turned off the Wi-Fi router, and took away the phones so that we could not inform the public about what was happening at our house,” Marharyta Dzhapparova recalls of that day. “They didn't find anything but told my husband that since they had been sent to pay him a visit, he must be charged with some offense. They brought witnesses with them, and for some reason, witnesses were asked to help: hold onto packages, bring things. This is something that witnesses do not have the right to do.”
Marharyta Dzhapparova recalls that while this was happening, journalists from the Crimea 24 TV channel arrived and entered the house without the owners’ permission, and started filming the so-called “operational activities” of law enforcement officers. “Then it was broadcast on TV channels, making it appear as though the Russian special services were exposing terrorists,” says Marharyta.
On the same day, a court hearing took place and Aider Dzhapparov was remanded in custody. Meetings with the political prisoner were prohibited, and only one letter reached Aider in a whole year, his wife says.
Subsequently, Aider Dzhapparov was transferred to the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, where the case is currently being considered on its merits. “They were taken to Rostov in a so-called “jar,” which is a narrow metal chamber of 60 by 80 cm, in which you cannot actually sit. And they drove like that for 14 hours,” says Marharyta Dzhapparova.
Marharyta says that faith and good people have helped the family keep holding on in this difficult situation. “We are believers, so we trust in the Highest first of all. Faith, patience, and support from kind people continue to help us stay strong,” she says. “My husband is a good and radiant person, people know that, and that's why they try to protect and care for our family in every possible way. We are very grateful to everyone for that. If I was left alone with all the problems and didn't have such support, I don’t know how I would make it.”
