Detention: Ruslan Eyupovich Zaurov became a target of politically motivated criminal prosecution by the Russian Federation. Russian law enforcement declared him wanted in the so-called 'second Simferopol Hizb ut-Tahrir case', accusing him of 'participation in the activities of a terrorist organization' (Part 2, Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Human rights defenders emphasize that the case is political and related to the persecution of Crimean Tatars following the occupation of Crimea.

Sentence: Zaurov Ruslan is wanted, and the criminal proceedings are at the investigation stage.

Ruslan Eyupovich Zaurov was born on December 31, 1979. Before the initiation of criminal prosecution, he lived in Simferopol (Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine). Detailed information about his education, professional activities, and family status has not been disclosed in open independent sources.

After the occupation of Crimea, the Russian Federation systematically initiated criminal cases against Crimean Tatars on charges of involvement with the organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir', which is recognized as 'terrorist' in Russia but is legal in Ukraine and most democratic countries. Ruslan Zaurov became one of the figures in the second Simferopol group of this case. According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, at the time the proceedings were opened, he was already outside the occupied Crimea, prompting Russian law enforcement to declare him wanted.

His case is documented as an example of the systematic use of anti-terrorism legislation to suppress civil activity and religious freedom in occupied Crimea.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Date updated: 29.07.2026.