Leaders of a Crimean Tatar children's ensemble were detained in St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, the leaders of the Crimean Tatar children’s dance ensemble “Nefes” from Crimea were detained, including Sevil Beshkhadem and Radion Esmedlyaev, head of the Crimean Tatar community in St. Petersburg. It is also reported that another member of the ensemble’s entourage was detained.
This was reported by “Vot Tak,” a Russian-language media project of the Polish broadcaster TVP.
"In St. Petersburg, an administrative report was filed against Sevil Beshkhadem, the director of the Crimean Tatar children’s ensemble ‘Nefes,’ for organizing an unauthorized rally. The detainee’s sister told ‘Vot Tak’ about this on May 18. "Police officers stated that the Crimean Tatar flag is banned in Russia, although officially no such ban exists," the report states.
It is noted that, in addition to Beshkhadem, police detained Radion Esmedlyaev, head of the Crimean Tatar Society of St. Petersburg at the House of Nationalities, and another person accompanying the ensemble
It is reported that on Saturday, members of the ensemble took a tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress. The children were wearing traditional costumes and unfurled the flags of Russia, Crimea, and the Crimean Tatars. The ensemble members were detained after they took a photo with the Crimean Tatar national flag near the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Sevil Beshkhadem’s sister, Elvira Karashayeva, said that the Crimean Tatar flag was the reason for the detention, as the police claimed it is banned in Russia. However, the Crimean Tatar national flag is not officially included in the list of banned or extremist materials.
“We showed them official websites featuring the flag, but that didn’t convince them. They said that, according to their information, there is a trident on the flag,” she stated.
Karashayeva said that her sister was held at the police station for a day and taken to court on May 18. She said that, according to her information, the hearing had already taken place, and there were some issues with the protocol, which the police now need to revise. “They’re supposed to release her, but she hasn’t been in touch yet,” Karashayeva noted. According to her, she knows very little and isn’t aware of the possible punishment because she herself is in Crimea.
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