Detention: On March 27, 2019, Asan Yanikov was detained by Russian security forces following mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Kamyanka and Stroganovka districts of Simferopol. On that day, about 25 Crimean Muslims were detained and later accused of involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir. Ukrainian human rights activists consider the persecution of Crimean Tatars in this case to be politically motivated.

Sentence: On March 18, 2022, the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced Asan Yanikov to 15 years in a high-security penal colony, with the first five years to be served in prison. Additionally, upon release, he was given one year of restricted freedom. On July 7, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence.

Asan Aliyevich Yanikov was born on September 11, 1986, in Bekabad, Uzbekistan. In 2000, at the age of 14, he moved with his family to Crimea. He continued his education at School No. 31 in Simferopol. After finishing school, due to financial difficulties, he began working as a construction laborer. According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, he has a secondary education in construction.

After the occupation of Crimea by Russia, Yanikov engaged in community activities and supported people persecuted by the occupying authorities. He attended court hearings in politically motivated cases, visited Crimean Tatars during searches, and helped collect and deliver parcels to political prisoners in pre-trial detention centers. In 2017, Yanikov staged a solo picket to protest against persecution based on nationality and religion. He also assisted in organizing children's events.

On March 27, 2019, Russian security forces conducted one of the largest waves of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea. Investigations took place in the Kamyanka and Stroganovka districts of Simferopol. Asan was detained and taken into custody. He was charged under part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for 'participation in the activities of a terrorist organization,' as well as articles related to preparing for the violent seizure of power.

His case became part of the so-called 'second Simferopol group' in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. Human rights organizations emphasize that Russian authorities use the ban on this organization to persecute Crimean Tatars. In Ukraine, Hizb ut-Tahrir is not banned as a terrorist organization. ZMINA also highlights issues with ensuring a fair trial in such criminal cases.

On March 18, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Yanikov to 15 years of imprisonment. Along with him, Akim Bekirov, Seitveli Seitbdiyev, Rustem Seithalilov, and Eskender Suleymanov were convicted in this case. Yanikov and his defense did not agree with the charges. On July 7, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence.

In 2023, Yanikov was transferred from the Rostov region to Prison No. 2 'Vladimir Central' in the city of Vladimir. In this facility, he faced restrictions on communication with his family. According to his sister Fatime Yanikova, he was not allowed to call his relatives, and a significant portion of his letters did not reach the recipients. Over the course of a year, he was able to call his family only twice.

In April 2024, it became known that Yanikov was beaten by employees of 'Vladimir Central.' According to his sister, on April 6, two employees hit his head against concrete twice during an inspection after he asked to retrieve his food from storage. After the beating, he complained of severe headaches and showed a wound on his face to a medical worker, but according to the family, he did not receive proper assistance.

Before his arrest, Yanikov had chronic gastrointestinal diseases. During his imprisonment, his health issues worsened. In 2024, the family also reported a deterioration in his physical condition and weight loss due to food restrictions.

In June 2026, Yanikov was transferred from 'Vladimir Central' to a hospital. According to his sister, after the transfer, communication with him almost completely ceased: the last letter from him was received by the family in March. There was no response to relatives' inquiries about his health and whereabouts.

As of September 14, 2026, Asan Yanikov remains unlawfully imprisoned in Russia, continuing to be held behind bars.
Information used from open sources: Crimean Tatar Resource Center, ZMINA, Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne Crimea, Ukrinform, Radio Liberty.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 14.09.2026.