OSCE Media Freedom Representative condemns arrest of citizen journalists in Crimea, calls for their immediate release

VIENNA, 17 April 2019 – Following reports about the recent arrest of several citizen journalists in Crimea, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today condemned the continued deterioration of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists on the peninsula.

According to reports, on 28 March 2019 citizen journalists Osman Arifmemetov, Rustem Sheikhaliyev and Remzi Bekirov were arrested on terrorism charges along with about 20 other residents of Crimea. All three have reportedly covered and distributed information regarding persecution cases, and Bekirov has also contributed to the Grani.ru media outlet.

“The practice of silencing critical voices in Crimea is unacceptable,” said Désir. “I call on those responsible for the arrests to respect the role of all media actors and release the affected journalists. They should be able to carry out their work without undue interference or fear of violence.”

The Representative also noted and expressed concern regarding the continued arrest of another Crimean citizen journalist, Nariman Memedeminov, who remains in custody since March 2018 on charges of ‘publicly calling for terrorism activities’.