Detention: On August 24, 2023, in the Bakhchysarai district, temporarily occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted searches in the homes of six Crimean Tatar activists, including Ruslan Asanov. Following the search, he was detained and taken to the occupation Kyiv District Court of Simferopol. On August 24, the court ordered his detention. Asanov was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code, and later under Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code, allegedly for preparing to seize power by force. The case became part of the so-called 'fifth Bakhchysarai group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case.

Sentence: On October 21, 2026, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued guilty verdicts to six Crimean Tatars, defendants in the fifth Bakhchysarai group in the so-called 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. The men were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 15 to 19 years in high-security colonies. Ruslan Asanov was sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment.

Ruslan Remzievich Asanov was born on February 18, 1975. He is a resident of Bakhchysarai, a Ukrainian citizen, and a Crimean Tatar. Before his detention, he worked as a builder and was an activist.

Ruslan Asanov was an active participant in the public life of Bakhchysarai and supported other Crimean Tatars who faced persecution by the Russian occupation authorities. Along with other activists, he attended court hearings in cases of Crimean political prisoners and participated in peaceful solidarity actions. According to human rights defenders, he and other defendants were repeatedly detained for participating in such actions.

Ruslan Asanov is married. His wife is Zera Mustafayeva. According to human rights sources, Asanov is the father of a large family. Before his arrest, he continued to work and support his family.

On August 24, 2023, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of six Crimean Tatar activists in the Bakhchysarai district. Among those detained were Ruslan Asanov, Seidamet Mustafayev, Eldar Yakubov, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov, Amethan Umerov, and Remzi Nimetulaev. This group was later referred to as the 'fifth Bakhchysarai group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case.

On the same day, Ruslan Asanov and the other detainees were taken to the occupation Kyiv District Court of Simferopol. The court ordered their detention. Asanov was accused of organizing the activities of a 'terrorist organization' under Russian law. All detainees denied their guilt.

After his arrest, Asanov was placed in a pre-trial detention centre. By September 2023, health issues were reported: he was brought to the detention centre with an abscess, and the illness, according to his wife, progressed rapidly. The family attempted to send him medication, including antibiotics.

Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. Court hearings in the case have been ongoing since 2024. In January 2025, Ruslan Asanov and other defendants challenged the entire panel of judges, citing the court's accusatory bias. The defense also repeatedly questioned the prosecution's evidence.

In 2025–2026, the court repeatedly extended Ruslan Asanov's detention. In February 2026, the arrest of the six defendants of the 'fifth Bakhchysarai group' was extended until May 23, and in July 2026, until October 14, 2026. The defense objected to the extension of the detention measure, emphasizing the lack of sufficient grounds for further detention in the pre-trial detention centre.

During the trial, the defense continued to present evidence of the defendants' innocence. In 2026, the court questioned defense witnesses and considered motions from the lawyers. As of the latest available data, the trial was still ongoing.

During his imprisonment, Ruslan Asanov's health deteriorated. According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, his vision worsened, and he developed dental problems. Additionally, the occupation authorities restricted his communication with his family: short visits were not granted, phone calls were absent, and letters from relatives went unanswered.

At the beginning of 2026, Asanov was held in Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 5 in Rostov-on-Don, where he remained during the trial.

On October 21, 2026, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued guilty verdicts to six Crimean Tatars, defendants in the fifth Bakhchysarai group in the so-called 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. The men were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 15 to 19 years in high-security colonies. Ruslan Asanov was sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Suspilne Crimea.

Photo: ZMINA.

Date of update: 21.10.2026.