Detention: On September 4, 2023, Russian security forces detained entrepreneur and public figure Nariman Ablyazov in the temporarily occupied Henichesk, Kherson region. According to the FSB of Russia, he was allegedly a member of the so-called 'Crimean Tatar Battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan' and participated in the civil blockade of Crimea in 2015. Ukrainian human rights defenders emphasized that the battalion does not actually exist as an illegal armed formation, and the case is another example of politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian citizens in occupied territories.

Sentence: On August 6, 2024, he was sentenced under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('Participation on the territory of a foreign state in an armed formation not provided for by the legislation of this state, for purposes contrary to the interests of the Russian Federation') to 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment. The first year of the sentence is to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. After release, the court also imposed one year of restricted freedom. Human rights defenders consider this sentence illegal and contrary to international law.

Nariman Ablyazov Rustemovich was born on November 19, 1973. A citizen of Ukraine, resident of Henichesk, Kherson region. Entrepreneur, public figure, philanthropist, owner of a store and hotel in Henichesk. Married, father of three children.

Before the full-scale war, he was engaged in business, supported local initiatives, and assisted the Crimean Tatar community. Open sources frequently mention him as someone actively involved in preserving Crimean Tatar culture, supporting public events, and helping compatriots.

After the occupation of part of the Kherson region, Russian security forces repeatedly pressured his family. In April 2022, the occupiers kidnapped Nariman's wife. She was illegally held for some time in the basement of the former vocational school No. 17 in Henichesk, after which she was released. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center stated that the persecution of the family was related to their active civic stance.

On September 4, 2023, Russian security forces detained Nariman Ablyazov himself. According to the FSB, he allegedly joined the 'Noman Çelebicihan Battalion' in 2015 and assisted in the civil blockade of occupied Crimea. Ukrainian human rights defenders noted that Russia has long used such accusations to persecute Crimean Tatars and pro-Ukrainian activists, although no convincing evidence of Ablyazov's involvement in armed activities has been presented.

After his detention, Nariman Ablyazov was transferred to a pre-trial detention centre. The defense had little opportunity to openly comment on the proceedings, and information about the trial mainly came from Ukrainian human rights organizations. They emphasized that Russia continues to illegally apply its criminal law in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which directly contradicts international humanitarian law.

The accusation was based on the alleged participation of Ablyazov in the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. In 2022, Russian authorities declared this battalion a 'terrorist organization', although the Ukrainian side has repeatedly stated that it does not function as an illegal armed formation. Human rights defenders believe such criminal cases are used as a tool to intimidate Crimean Tatars and other Ukrainian citizens who openly supported the territorial integrity of the state or participated in the civil blockade of Crimea.

On August 6, 2024, the occupation 'Henichesk District Court' found Nariman Ablyazov guilty and sentenced him to three years and six months of imprisonment. According to the sentence, the first year is to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. The court also imposed one year of restricted freedom after release. Ukrainian human rights organizations called this decision illegal and unrelated to fair justice.

Following the sentence, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, ZMINA, and the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea stated that Nariman Ablyazov's case is yet another example of Russia's repressive policy in the occupied territories. They believe the criminal prosecution resulted from his pro-Ukrainian stance and public activities before the full-scale war.

Due to limited access for independent journalists and lawyers to the occupied part of the Kherson region, there is little information about Nariman's detention conditions. Meanwhile, human rights defenders emphasize that all Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in occupied territories or Russia should be under international monitoring, and their rights must be guaranteed according to international humanitarian law.

As of July 2026, Nariman Ablyazov continues to serve the sentence imposed on him unlawfully. Ukrainian human rights organizations continue to seek his release and emphasize that criminal prosecution for participation in the civil blockade of Crimea is politically motivated and contrary to international law.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Photo: Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Last updated: 07/04/2026.