Detention: On August 17, 2021, Russian security forces conducted a series of mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Bakhchisaray district of Crimea and Sevastopol. After the search, Zaur Abdullayev was detained along with Rustem Murasov, Rustem Tairov, Dzhabbar Bekirov, and Raif Fevziev. They were all accused of involvement in the activities of the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir under Articles 205.5 and 278 of the Russian Criminal Code. In Ukraine, Hizb ut-Tahrir is not banned, and Ukrainian and international human rights organizations have called the case politically motivated and linked to the persecution of Crimean Tatars.

Sentence: On May 31, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Zaur Abdullayev to 12 years of imprisonment. The first four years are to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. After release, the court also imposed one year of restricted freedom. The Military Appeals Court upheld the sentence.

Zaur Abdullayev was born on April 9, 1973. Before his arrest, he lived in the village of Kholmovka in the Bakhchisaray district with his wife Emine. He worked as a grill chef. He was well-known among locals as someone actively involved in community life. He regularly helped organize religious and charitable events, supported families of Crimean political prisoners, and attended politically motivated court hearings in occupied Crimea with other activists. This civic stance, according to human rights defenders, attracted the attention of Russian security forces.

Early in the morning of August 17, 2021, FSB officers came to his house. After the search, Zaur was detained and taken for questioning. That same day, the court ordered his detention. Russian investigators claimed he was allegedly a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir and was preparing a violent seizure of power. However, human rights defenders emphasized that the case lacked evidence of any violent actions being prepared.

The charges, as in many other Crimean cases, were based on recordings of religious conversations, expert conclusions, and testimonies of secret witnesses.

During the trial, Zaur remained calm and consistently denied his guilt. His defense repeatedly pointed out numerous procedural violations and the lack of real evidence, but these arguments were not considered. Ukrainian human rights organizations stated that the case bore all the hallmarks of political persecution, and Russian anti-terrorism legislation was being used as a tool to pressure the Crimean Tatar community.

After the sentence, Zaur was transferred to Prison No. 2 in the Vladimir region, known as 'Vladimir Central.' It was there that he began experiencing serious health problems. Before his arrest, he already had type 2 diabetes and hypertension, but his condition significantly worsened in detention. According to his wife, he has not had a full examination by an endocrinologist, although this specialist should regularly monitor his condition.

Later, Zaur's vision began to deteriorate sharply. Due to a lack of vitamins and inadequate dental care, he lost most of his teeth. His wife reported that the prison dentist only extracts teeth, and treatment is practically unavailable. The family purchases necessary medications at their own expense and regularly sends them to the place of detention. Some of the medications were prescribed by doctors before his arrest, as he does not receive full medical care in the Russian penitentiary system.

Another issue was the almost complete cessation of correspondence. According to Emine Abdullayeva, people from Crimea and other countries regularly write to him, but a significant portion of the letters simply do not reach him. Visits are allowed only once a year, making it extremely difficult to maintain contact with his family. The journey to the Vladimir region takes almost a day, creating additional financial and physical challenges for the family.

Human rights defenders from 'Crimean Solidarity,' ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, and other organizations constantly emphasize that Zaur's health requires regular medical supervision. They have repeatedly called on Russian authorities to provide him with proper treatment and ensure the basic rights of prisoners. According to his wife, what supports him most is the awareness that he is remembered. Therefore, letters and international solidarity remain extremely important to him.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Solidarity, CrimeaSOS, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukrinform

Photo: Crimean Solidarity.

Date of update: 07/04/2026