Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they have taken, or plan to take, in response to the arrest in Russia of Edem Bekirov.

The UK is deeply concerned about the welfare of Crimean Tatar Edem Bekirov. Mr Bekirov was detained re-entering illegally annexed Crimea on 12 December. We have seen reporting that Mr Bekirov has been denied critical medical assistance and access to his lawyers. On 20 December, the UK publicly called on Russia to provide urgent medical care and access to legal advice. We will continue to work closely with international partners in monitoring and raising awareness of his case, alongside other political prisoners currently detained in Russia and Crimea.