Detention: On December 17, 2021, officers of the Russian FSB conducted a search at the home of Crimean Tatar Nariman Ametov in the city of Stary Krym. Before the search concluded, he was taken to an unknown location. It later became known that he was tortured by the authorities to force him to testify against himself and other Crimean Tatars. He was subsequently charged under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code ('preparation to participate in an illegal armed formation'). Ukrainian human rights organizations emphasized that the case is politically motivated and that testimonies obtained under torture cannot be considered admissible evidence.

Sentence: On August 29, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Nariman Ametov guilty and sentenced him to 8 years in a strict regime colony. The first two years are to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. Human rights defenders stated that the sentence is based on testimonies obtained under torture and is politically motivated.

Nariman Ametov was born in 1987. He lived in Stary Krym with his wife and children. Before his arrest, he worked, took care of his family, and was well-known in the Crimean Tatar community. There is little information about his profession or education in open sources, but acquaintances describe him as a calm, hardworking person who was not a public politician or activist. His detention was a surprise not only to his family but also to his neighbors.

On the morning of December 17, 2021, FSB officers came to Ametov's house. The search began around six in the morning. Within a few dozen minutes, the authorities took Nariman from the house, although the investigative actions were still ongoing. His wife was left in the house without any information about where her husband was taken. It was only later revealed that he was held in an FSB building, where, according to Ametov himself, he was subjected to physical and psychological violence.

After his lawyer was able to meet with Nariman Ametov, it became known that he was tortured while in the FSB building. According to the political prisoner, the authorities put a bag over his head, beat him, used electric shocks, and demanded he confess to crimes he did not commit. They also forced him to sign pre-prepared documents and testify against other Crimean Tatars. Only after this was Nariman officially brought to court for a preventive measure.

Information about the torture quickly spread. Crimean Solidarity, ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, and the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea stated that this was a gross violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Convention against Torture. The Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol opened a criminal case regarding the torture of a Ukrainian citizen by FSB representatives.

During the trial, the defense repeatedly emphasized that the charges were essentially based on testimonies obtained under physical and psychological pressure. Lawyers requested the court to investigate the torture allegations and declare such 'evidence' inadmissible. However, the Russian court refused to conduct an effective investigation into these facts and continued the case.

On August 29, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Nariman Ametov guilty and sentenced him to 8 years of imprisonment. According to the sentence, the first two years are to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. Human rights defenders emphasized that the decision was made without properly assessing the torture allegations, and the process did not meet fair trial standards.

After being transferred to Russia, Nariman continued to serve his sentence far from his family. Human rights organizations regularly include his name in international campaigns supporting Ukrainian political prisoners. They particularly focus on the use of torture during detention, as this is one of the few Crimean cases where the victim provided a detailed account of the experience, and Ukrainian law enforcement opened a separate case regarding this war crime.

As of July 2026, Nariman Ametov continues to be unlawfully held in detention facilities in the Russian Federation. Ukrainian human rights defenders insist on his release and emphasize that the use of torture, unlawful criminal prosecution, and the removal of civilians from occupied territories are gross violations of international law.

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

Photo: Crimean Solidarity.

Update date: 07/05/2026.