Detention: On July 6, 2023, Russian FSB officers detained Crimean resident Eldar Abduraimov. According to the Russian investigation, he allegedly distributed video materials among acquaintances calling for joining the Ukrainian partisan movement 'ATESH' and encouraged others to participate in the movement's activities. He was charged with promoting terrorist activities and public calls for terrorism. Ukrainian human rights organizations and the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea emphasized that the case is another example of the criminal prosecution of residents of occupied Crimea for their pro-Ukrainian stance.

Sentence: On November 30, 2024, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Eldar Abduraimov to 16 years in a high-security penal colony with a fine of 100,000 Russian rubles. This sentence was imposed considering a previous verdict by the occupation Bakhchisaray District Court on April 11, 2024. The Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and human rights defenders stated that the criminal prosecution is politically motivated and does not comply with international law.

Eldar Abduraimov was born in 1998. Before his detention, he lived in Crimea, worked, and led an ordinary life.

According to the Russian investigation, in the fall of 2022, Eldar allegedly watched a video appeal calling for joining the military-partisan movement 'ATESH', after which he forwarded it to several acquaintances on social media. Additionally, the occupation law enforcement claimed he allegedly called for arson of administrative buildings in Crimea. These allegations formed the basis of the criminal case. The Ukrainian side emphasizes that such accusations are used by Russia to persecute people who show dissent against the occupation of the peninsula.

After his detention, Eldar was taken into custody. His case was considered under several articles of Russian criminal law, which provide for liability for promoting terrorist activities. Human rights defenders noted that Russia continues to apply its legislation in occupied Crimea, contrary to international humanitarian law.

On April 11, 2024, the occupation Bakhchisaray District Court delivered the first guilty verdict in his case. Later, the materials were transferred to the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, which considered charges under more severe articles. During the trial, the defense insisted that the charges were not supported by proper evidence, but the court sided with the prosecution.

On November 30, 2024, the court found Eldar Abduraimov guilty and sentenced him to 16 years of imprisonment. He was also given a significant monetary fine. The Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea called this decision another manifestation of the intimidation policy against residents of the occupied peninsula. Human rights defenders noted that such cases are increasingly used to combat any expressions of support for Ukraine or resistance to the occupation.

Eldar Abduraimov's case significantly differs from most Crimean 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' cases. In previous years, Russian security forces mainly accused Crimean Tatars of alleged involvement in Islamic organizations. However, since the full-scale invasion, cases related to accusations of supporting the Ukrainian underground or partisan movement have become more frequent. According to Ukrainian human rights defenders, this practice indicates increased repression on the occupied peninsula and an attempt to suppress any signs of disloyalty to the occupation authorities.

As of July 2026, Eldar Abduraimov continues to serve the unlawfully imposed sentence. Ukrainian human rights organizations and state institutions include him in the list of Ukrainian citizens unlawfully imprisoned by Russia for political reasons and continue to demand his release.

Information sourced from open sources:ZMINA, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, CrimeaSOS, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Ukrinform, Radio Liberty.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 04.07.2026.