Detention: In late 2024, Russian FSB officers detained Yalta resident Charaz Akimov. According to Russian investigators, between 2023 and 2024, he allegedly maintained a confidential connection with a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and transmitted information about the movements of military equipment and ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Later, the charges were reclassified from 'collaboration with a foreign state on a confidential basis' to 'treason.' Human rights defenders stated that the case was handled with gross violations of the principles of open justice, and the trial itself was conducted in a closed session.

Sentence: On November 26, 2024, he was convicted under Part 1 of Article 264 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('Repeated driving under the influence'); the sentence is unknown. On April 3, 2025, he was convicted under Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('Confidential cooperation with a foreign state') and sentenced to five years in a general regime correctional colony. On October 6, 2025, the sentence was overturned on appeal, and the case was sent for a new trial, with charges changed to 'treason.' On March 13, 2026, the illegal 'Supreme Court of Crimea' sentenced him to 18 years and 20 days in a strict regime colony, plus one year and ten months of restricted freedom after release. Human rights defenders called this decision politically motivated.

Charaz Tukhtarovich Akimov was born on December 27, 1993. He lived in Yalta and is a Crimean Tatar. Little is known about his life before the arrest. There is practically no information in open sources about his education, profession, or family. Human rights defenders explain this by the fact that in many modern criminal cases related to occupied Crimea, personal data is deliberately not disclosed for the safety of relatives.

According to the Russian FSB, in the summer of 2023, Akimov allegedly established contact with a representative of Ukrainian military intelligence via Telegram. Russian investigators claimed he agreed to transmit photos and videos related to the movement of Russian military equipment in Crimea. One of the main episodes of the accusation was a video of Black Sea Fleet ships, which, according to the investigation, he allegedly filmed in Sevastopol at the end of 2023. These claims formed the basis of the criminal prosecution.

After his detention, Charaz was placed in custody. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' reported that before the official arrest, he was held incommunicado—without contact with the outside world, lawyers, or relatives. Human rights defenders emphasized that such practice is a serious violation of the right to freedom and personal integrity and is often used by Russian security forces in politically motivated cases.

The first trial was held in a closed session. The Russian side explained this by claiming that the case materials allegedly contained information related to state security. Lawyers repeatedly pointed out that such practice deprives the public of the opportunity to monitor compliance with the principles of fair trial. Human rights defenders also emphasized that in such cases, the accusations are often based on materials that cannot be independently verified.

On April 3, 2025, the occupying 'Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea' found Charaz Akimov guilty of confidential cooperation with a foreign state and sentenced him to five years in prison. However, the prosecution soon achieved a review of the case. The appellate court overturned the sentence and returned the materials for a new trial. After this, the charges were reclassified to the much more serious 'treason.'

On March 13, 2026, the same occupying court issued a new sentence. Charaz Akimov was sentenced to 18 years and 20 days in a strict regime colony. Additionally, after release, he was given one year and ten months of restricted freedom. Human rights defenders noted that such a sharp increase in the term was due to the reclassification of the case, not the emergence of new evidence.

After the verdict was announced, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, the Human Rights Center ZMINA, and other human rights organizations stated that Charaz Akimov's case is another example of the criminal prosecution of residents of occupied Crimea on charges of cooperation with Ukraine. They emphasize that Russia increasingly uses articles on treason, espionage, or cooperation with Ukrainian intelligence services as a tool to combat any manifestations of disloyalty to the occupying authorities.

The human rights center 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' also recognized Charaz Akimov as a political prisoner. In its conclusion, the organization noted that during the case review, significant violations of the right to a fair trial were committed, and the criminal prosecution itself has signs of political motivation.

As of July 2026, Charaz Akimov continues to be unlawfully held in places of detention. Ukrainian human rights organizations and state institutions continue to demand his release, emphasizing that the persecution of Ukrainian citizens in the occupied territory of Crimea for a pro-Ukrainian position is a gross violation of international humanitarian 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.

Update date: 04.07.2026.