THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
Recently, the wife of a public journalist and the first deputy chairperson of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Nariman Dzhelialov, and their children visited her husband in Minusynsk prison in russia. Leviza Dzhelialova told about it on her Facebook account.
“On the eve of Eid al-Adha, my children and I were able to see Nariman during a long date. We managed to meet right away because the meeting, which was supposed to take place in March, was canceled by the administration without explaining the reasons. And so, in the middle of May, I received the long-awaited letter with the message that we would be able to see each other. And we started to get on the road.
The distance from Simferopol to Minusynsk, where Nariman is kept, is 5,300 km. The road was not going to be easy; first it was necessary to get to Moscow by train, from there by plane to Abakan, and then by car to Minusynsk. Having covered a long distance, we arrived in Minusynsk two days before the meeting. First of all, I went to the prison to settle organizational issues. Then, it occurred to me to surprise Nariman by exercising my right to a short-term date. Seeing me on a short-term date, he was pleasantly surprised and calmed down after learning that we had safely reached Minusynsk.
The next day, after going through the official and unpleasant reception and examination procedures, my children and I met for the first time since his arrest without bars, cameras, and observers separating us, albeit in a closed space in the meeting room in the prison. For three short days, most of our family was reunited. The dim, uncomfortable meeting room with bars on the windows scared us at first, but when Nariman came, it got immediately filled with light and warmth. And it began… smells of freshly brewed coffee, food, conversations, conversations, discussions, board games with children, watching programs together, etc. And then these walls seemed so close that I didn’t want to leave them and part with Nariman again.
There was such a feeling that everything happened in a dream. The meeting left mixed feelings; on the one hand, joy that we managed to see each other and live with him; on the other hand, sad that we had to part so quickly, without enjoying communication with him.
To be honest, I was worried about the meeting, assuming that over that time apart, he could also change (and this is normal after what he had to go through), and the children, who grew up without a father in three years, would change, and we would have to get to know each other again. But all my worries were in vain. Nariman has not changed at all; he has even become more attentive, wiser, and more prudent. As a simple person, it is difficult for me to understand how, having found himself in such a difficult situation, not to feel anger and hatred. But the spiritual and moral values inherent in Nariman elevate him above all the evil that was done to him. I am proud and grateful to Nariman for this! His attitude to me is a guide in life and helps to overcome all difficulties. Infinitely grateful to Allah for the fact that he is in our lives.
For the children, these were special and happy days, which they miss so much. Emine and Dzhemil went with me. Difficult feelings were connected with the prospect of Dzhemil meeting with Nariman because when his father was taken from home, he was only four years old. Now he is seven years old, and he is already quite aware and sharply perceives everything, so I thought he would get used to it. But Nariman attracted him so much with his behavior and attitude from the first seconds that we then had to fight for his attention. Well, girls lack his attention and confidence, which only a father can instill.
Nariman‘s joy knew no bounds all three days, even on the day of the divorce; no matter how much Emine and I tried to hold back tears from parting, his same happy smile remained before my eyes.
Nariman‘s story about his transfer to the prison, about the difficulties and horrors he had to face on the way, became difficult for me. What was told is scary, I can’t imagine how one can survive it. How strong of a spirit should a person be in order not to break down, to find the strength to fight, and not to lose the ability to see the beauty in life?
The main reason for my apprehension is Nariman‘s health. One of the acute problems remains the condition of the teeth. Once, he managed to get to the dentist and have his tooth treated. However, due to periodontitis, he needs much more serious help, including prosthetics, which are not provided in prison. And the queue for the nearest available medical facility for convicts is drawn up months in advance. Also, periodic problems with the spine in the lumbar region and the development of varicose veins in the popliteal region remain relevant. This time, he also complained about the deterioration of his eyesight.
To my questions about the conditions of detention, he replied that he understood where he was and that it was not in his nature to complain about minor problems. But the most important thing is a conscious, convinced reluctance to demand compliance with an account of norms in correctional institutions, which derives from Nariman‘s all-known political position. Of course, if the case does not involve flagrant violations, which have not yet occurred against him within the walls of this prison.
He still stands for the same values and beliefs for which he became a victim of political repression. I suppose some people expect Nariman‘s reaction to current events, but that is not possible due to the censorship of all communications. Although Nariman currently has limited access to news, despite the lack of objective information, his journalistic skills allow him to analyze and filter facts to form an idea of the real state of affairs. And morally healthy people who are in prisons this is enough to maintain stability, conviction, and faith. And he is not alone.
During his imprisonment, he met and continues to meet people who think like him and feel the same as he does. Crimean political prisoners Seyran Murtaza, Bekir Murtaza, Bilial Pdilov, Osman Arifmemetov, as well as Riza Omerov, who was recently transferred to the colony for further serving his term, are in the Minusynsk prison. There, Nariman met Yurii Domanchuk from the Kherson Region and Artem Krykunov from the Luhansk Region. All of them support each other and convey the warmest greetings to all relatives, friends, and the whole nation.
All attempts to isolate Nariman from society, from people close in spirit due to his character, due to the letters he receives, due to meetings and acquaintances with other political prisoners, turn out to be useless because his inner freedom cannot be shackled by anything.
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From Nariman and our entire family, we express our sincere thanks to all the people who helped us meet, helped with the organization of the trip, called and conveyed greetings, wishes, gifts, offered all kinds of help, etc. Many of our friends volunteered to accompany me and the children on this difficult trip, but at one time, the first to offer help directly on the trip was Nariman, an old friend of Hatice, who provided substantial support and assistance.
After my arrival back home, I received a letter from Nariman with words of thanks to everyone who worried, helped, and prayed for us to meet.”
“Dear friends! My gray (literally and figuratively) routine weekdays were illuminated by the light of joy for three days: my family came to see me. Not all, but most of it was reunited for the first time since September 4, 2021. This became possible thanks to you, too! You helped erase the thousands of kilometers that separated us and let us see, hear, and hug our beloved wife and children for a short moment.
I received all congratulations, wishes, and words of support. Received a gift! But the most important thing for me is your support for my family. This sincere, noble, and important help strengthens my faith in the values that I defended and continue to do so and strengthens in me the feeling of love and gratitude to you, my friends. And to those whom I know personally and to those whom I will be glad to meet again! Thank you! Always the same, always yours, Nariman D.”
NUJU Information Service
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