Illegally sentenced to 14 years, Crimean Tatar human rights activist Server Mustafaiev has entered faculty of law by correspondence. However, he cannot start his distance learning – the administration of the colony does not give him the laptop that his family handed over for him almost a year ago. Representatives of the institution explain this by saying that for studies and access the Internet, Server must obtain a number of allowances from higher authorities.

“When my husband was entering, and I was negotiating with “Zonatelecom” to provide services, and found a laptop, we did not realize that everything would be so complicated. It was only when Server had already started his studies and it was time to pass the first session that we learned about all the requirements and bureaucratic red tape. I don't know how long it is possible to study like this, because we have been struggling with this for 3-4 months,” Maie, the prisoner’s wife, told the Association.

In addition, Maie said that Server began to experience problems with his knees. She found out about it at the beginning of March, during her second date in 5 years with her husband.

“Server was praying, kneeling down, and I heard a strange and very loud crunching sound throughout the room. I would never have thought that knees could crunch like that. Then my husband told me that it was probably caused by constant dampness, lack of proper nutrition and uncomfortable sitting while working in the sewing shop. His eyesight also has been affected, and he was diagnosed with a benign tumor, a lipoma. The doctors recommended to cut it out, but Server is afraid to do it.”

His parents, Maie and two children went to see Server. To get to the colony in Tambov region, they traveled by train for 20 hours and covered a distance of 1 500 kilometers.

“The children couldn’t wait, ran out to the corridor and listened to every sound. When they heard a familiar voice, they ran out to meet Server. Server hugged them and could not believe that beside him were such grown-up children. When he was taken away, they were 6 and 7 years old,” says the political prisoner’s wife.

Server Mustafaiev told the family about his daily routine: rising at 6 a.m., breakfast and lining up, working as a tailor from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in a dark room unequipped for such painstaking work. For lunch and dinner, they sometimes give pork which he refuses to eat for religious reasons.

According to his wife, no one in Tambov institution understands that convicted under Article 205 Crimean Tatar is not a terrorist, but an ordinary person. He is a father of many children, a Muslim, a construction worker or a hairdresser, only with one characteristic – a consistent public position.

Server Mustafaiev is the coordinator of public organization “Crimean Solidarity”, he was involved in covering politically motivated cases. In 2018, after a search, Server Mustafaiev was arrested, and in 2020, sentenced to 14 years in prison.