ROSTOV-ON-DON, July 20 (RAPSI) – The Southern District Military Court has sentenced Azamat Eyupov, who has been found guilty of organizing a cell of the international terrorist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir banned in Russia, to 17 years in high-security penal colony, the court’s press service has told RAPSI.

Eyupov born in Uzbekistan created the terrorist cell in Crimea in 2017. He was aided by two people, Enver Omerob and Aider Dzhapparov, according to case papers. The men were convicted earlier.

Eyupov was engaged in outreach efforts and recruited new members to the group.

As the terrorist group leader the defendant determined the cell’s goals and objectives, held secret gatherings of its members and controlled the compliance with the covert measures, the court press service’s statement reads.

Earlier this month, the Southern District Military Court sentenced two members of the Crimean cell of the prohibited terrorist organization to 13 years in high-security penal colony each. According to the case papers, Ernest Ibragimov and Oleg Fedorov joined the terrorist organization in Crimea in 2017. The court found them guilty of participating in terrorist activity and preparation to a coup.