Detention: On January 14, 2025, Russian security forces detained 20-year-old Adil. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center reported his unlawful detention in the temporarily occupied Crimea. According to the Center, Russian forces accused the young Crimean of public calls for extremist and terrorist activities online. It was reported that Apkelyamov allegedly posted messages on Telegram calling for violent actions against individuals of Russian nationality. The criminal prosecution was conducted under Part 2 of Article 280 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code — public calls for extremist activities, and Part 2 of Article 205.2 — public calls for terrorist activities. A human rights project classifies Apkelyamov as a person persecuted for political reasons.

Sentence: On September 25, 2025, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Adil Apkelyamov guilty under Part 2 of Article 280 and Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code. The court sentenced him to three years in a general regime penal colony. Additionally, Apkelyamov was prohibited from engaging in activities related to website administration and the use of information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet, for three years.

According to the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, the case was submitted to the court on April 30, 2025. Court materials indicated that the prosecution was based on Telegram publications interpreted by the Russian side as calls for violence against Russians.

Adil Apkelyamov was born on April 10, 2004. At the time of his detention, he was 20 years old. He lived in the Bakhchisaray district of Crimea and was involved in the culinary and public catering sector.

His case is another example of the criminal prosecution of residents of temporarily occupied Crimea for expressions and publications online. In the criminal proceedings, the Russian side accused Apkelyamov of public calls for extremist and terrorist activities. The charges were based on materials that, according to the Russian court, he posted on Telegram. The human rights project 'Memorial' recorded his case among those prosecuted under Articles 205.2 and 280 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code and noted that the court's decision had come into legal force.

On September 25, 2025, the Southern District Military Court issued a verdict. Adil Apkelyamov was sentenced to three years in a general regime colony. In addition to the main sentence, the court imposed a three-year ban on website administration and the use of the Internet and other information and telecommunication networks.

As of the latest available human rights data, Apkelyamov is held in custody at the Federal State Institution Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 of the Main Directorate of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the Rostov Region.

Adil Apkelyamov's story is part of a broader pattern of criminal prosecution of residents of temporarily occupied Crimea by Russian law enforcement and judicial authorities. Human rights organizations document detentions, charges, court proceedings, and conditions of detention for such cases.

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

Last updated: 07/05/2026.