Date of arrest: 11.10.2017
Charges: participation in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist in the territory of the Russian Federation
Court verdict: 19 years in prison
Waiting for him: wife Aishe, sons Said, Seitmamut, Eskender, and daughter Safiie.
"Seeing the illegal arrests of Crimean Tatars, he began helping the families of prisoners. He cared for his people, visited everyone and tried to support everyone, "recalls Aishe, Marlen's wife.
"They didn't just knock on our door, they broke in, and stormed into our home," says Aishe. Marlen was twisted and laid on the floor. A machine gun was aimed at him, and they shouted: "Lay down!". The search lasted from 5:30 to 13:30. They were not allowed to call the lawyer.
According to Aishe, their daughter, who was 4.5 years old at the time of Marlen's arrest, still remembers that morning in every detail and now fears that the FSB may take her mother - and she will be left alone.
For a year and a half, Aishe could not get permission to see her husband while the investigation was going on.
Through the lawyer, Aishe learned about his illnesses: bronchitis, dental problems, complications of platypodia, and gonarthrosis. "They were not given any medical care; I handed over the medicine to the pre-trial detention center so that he would have everything. Because his knee is inflamed, he can neither sit nor stand, " says his wife.
Now Marlen Asanov is in a pre-trial detention center in Rostov. His lawyers are appealing the court decision, which will be considered for about six months. After the appeal is considered, he will be transferred to the prison in case of recommitment.
Aisha did not miss a single court hearing and observed the judges' behavior in that they came to court only for the sake of formality and were not even going to listen to the defense’s arguments. Even though Marlen and the other detainees kept repeating that they were Ukrainian citizens, and that they were being tried illegally in a foreign country, the judges paid them no mind.
"I want to thank everyone who continue to support us for speaking out and demanding justice, wanting to help us," Aishe said. "I urge other people to support us as well, because your voice may not be just a mere nail, but the last nail in the coffin which will change the situation."
