A defendant in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case, sentenced to 17 years in prison, has complained of health problems.

Rustem Emiruseinov, a defendant in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case who has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, suffers from diabetes and related complications. This was reported by Crimean Solidarity.

According to his wife, in Correctional Colony No. 6 in Tver region, the Muslim developed skin diseases that are exacerbated by his diabetes.

“For example, if he gets a scratch, the wound gets inflamed and takes a long time to heal. I directly link this to diabetes,” said Aliye Emiruseinova.

Emiruseinov’s health problems began while he was still in prison in the city of Balashov, Saratov region—a city on the Volga river. He complained of severe itching in his legs and a sharp loss of weight—in two months, he lost 16 kilograms (35 lbs). In addition, the Crimean Tatar’s eyesight deteriorated badly, and he can no longer read or write. He was later diagnosed with diabetes in the prison hospital.

On 3 November 2020, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Emiruseinov guilty under the article on organising the activities of a terrorist organisation (Part 1, Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code). He was sentenced to 17 years in prison, the first two years to be served in prison and the remainder in a strict-regime colony. On 1 November 2021, the Military Appeals Court in Vlasikha upheld the sentence.

Emiruseinov and two other defendants in the case were detained in Crimea following searches in February 2019.