The number of political charges against women in Crimea has significantly increased since 2022, according to journalist Lutfiye Zudieva. Publicly available data indicates that over 50 women have been detained in pre-trial detention centers, with most having no prior criminal records.
Many of these women face allegations of “state treason,” “espionage,” and “terrorism,” often with apparent political motivations. Zudieva highlighted these findings in a recent Facebook post.
“More than 50 women have passed through the Crimean detention centers — I believe the actual number is higher, but I base my statement on known facts. Among the cases currently known, 29 women are accused of ‘state treason,’ 8 of ‘espionage,’ 5 of ‘terrorist activities,’ and the rest under other charges. Most of them have never had criminal records,” Zudieva wrote.
Zudieva pointed out that the rise in criminal charges against women in occupied Crimea has been particularly notable since 2022.
“This is largely a story about persecution based on identity — national, political, or religious. There are also cases where there are motives, real actions, and involvement in specific events, but the political context is clearly evident. Moreover, access to case materials for journalists and human rights defenders is increasingly restricted, making it harder to verify the accusations. In our region, such cases have essentially become part of a broader practice of pressure and intimidation — regardless of gender. However, the number of cases involving women has clearly increased since 2022,” she stated.
Recently, it was reported that two more women from Yalta and Sevastopol are being held in a detention center in Simferopol. Evelina Melnychuk has been missing for 16 months, while Tetyana Dyakunovska has been unaccounted for for 19 months. Human rights advocates and family members have been attempting to locate them during this time.
On April 1, it was reported that a 35-year-old resident of Staryi Krym, Sevil Chakal, was unlawfully sentenced for “public calls for extremism.” Earlier, another resident of the same city, 24-year-old Crimean Tatar Khatidje Buyukchan, was also “arrested” by Russian authorities.
The rise in political charges against women in Crimea since 2022 highlights a troubling trend of persecution based on identity. Increased restrictions on access to legal materials complicate efforts to verify these cases, reflecting broader patterns of intimidation in the region.