Date of arrest: 27.03.2019
Charges: conspiracy to commit insurrection by an organized group, participation in the organization "Khizb ut-Takhrir"
Court verdict: Still under investigation
Waiting for him: wife, two children
After the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the beginning of repressions against the Crimean Tatars, Osman took an active civil position and began to engage in journalism: he videotaped searches in the houses of Crimean Tatars, went to court hearings to support compatriots, and broadcast his findings.
A few days before his arrest, Osman left for Rostov-on-Don to support five Crimean Tatars detained by Russian national security forces on suspicion of involvement in Khizb ut-Takhrir, at their court hearing. There, at McDonald's, alongside Remsi Bekirov and Vladlen Abdulkadyrov, he was detained on March 28, 2019, by masked men with weapons. "On the way, they were beaten with batons, officers walked on their backs and beat their knees," said Aliie, Osman's wife. - They were brought to Simferopol in handcuffs. They were not allowed to go to the toilet and pray on the way there. "
At the moment, Osman and the men detained with him are still under investigation, they are reviewing its materials. They and 21 other Crimean Tatars are being held in the Simferopol pre-trial detention center.
"If we`re lucky, they’ll let us go to court, but they won't allow us to communicate - just watch and wave to each other," Aliie explains.
Arifmetetov’s eldest daughter, who is now five years old, remembers her father's love and care well. She keeps asking her mom where her dad is. The youngest son was just one year and four months old at the time of his father’s arrest. "He recognizes Osman in photos, but I don't know if he understands what a father and parental love mean," says Aliie.
"I want to appeal to all concerned people and ask them to speak in support of my husband`s and all other prisoners` release, to ensure that they are talked about, not forgotten. Also, I want to thank the journalists of Ukraine for constantly writing and speaking about our men, expressing ongoing interest in their situation, " she addresses.
