Detention: On March 5, 2024, in Bakhchisarai, Russian FSB officers detained two journalists covering politically motivated cases in Crimea.

Sentence: Not issued. As of September 2, 2026, the case is under trial in the first instance court. Aziz Azizov is charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code — "participation in the activities of a terrorist organization." Russian authorities consider "Hizb ut-Tahrir" a terrorist organization, although it is not banned as such in Ukraine and most countries worldwide. Human rights defenders view the persecution of Crimean Tatars under this article as politically motivated.

Aziz Eldarovich Azizov was born on August 6, 1995, in Bakhchisarai. His parents returned to Crimea from places of deportation before his birth. Aziz spent his childhood in the rural areas of the Bakhchisarai district. According to family memories, he grew up as a hardworking, curious, and sociable boy. At an early age, he helped his family with household chores, learning to mow hay, milk cows, and perform construction work.

In 2002, Aziz started school in the village of Holubynka in the Bakhchisarai district. As a teenager, he was interested in technology and learned many things independently. According to his family, he even disassembled and reassembled a car engine using the internet. At 16, he independently completed part of the house repairs, including installing a bathroom. In high school, he switched to online learning due to a conflict with school administration over religious practices.

In 2016, Aziz married. The couple had three sons: Salahuddin in 2018, Shukriy in 2020, and Suleiman in 2022. Before his arrest, Aziz worked as a self-employed builder and roofer, supporting his family. Relatives describe him as someone who willingly helped others and actively participated in the community life of the Crimean Tatar people.

Part of his activities included work in citizen journalism.

He covered searches, detentions, and court hearings in cases involving Crimean Tatars. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center considers Aziz Azizov one of the Crimean journalists and activists persecuted by the Russian occupation authorities as part of systematic pressure on independent journalism in Crimea.

On March 5, 2024, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Bakhchisarai and Dzhankoy districts. Among those whose homes were searched was Aziz Azizov's. On the same day, he was detained and taken into custody. Along with him, Memet Lumanov, Rustem Osmanov, and Mustafa Abduramanov were detained as part of the so-called "sixth Bakhchisarai group"; in total, ten Crimean Tatars were detained during this series of searches.

Aziz Azizov was charged with participating in the activities of "Hizb ut-Tahrir" under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code. According to human rights defenders, during the search, the family reported the possible planting of literature banned under Russian law. Aziz denies his guilt and involvement in terrorist activities. During one court hearing, he emphasized that he is not a criminal and is known in the city as someone who organized children's events.

In July 2024, the "Crimean Tatar Resource Center" reported the extension of preventive measures for Aziz Azizov and other defendants until November 4, 2024.

On November 5, 2024, Aziz Azizov, Rustem Osmanov, Memet Lumanov, and Mustafa Abduramanov were transferred from Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 2 in Simferopol to Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. The first hearing of the Southern District Military Court in the "sixth Bakhchisarai group" case took place at the end of November 2024.

In 2025, the court repeatedly extended Azizov's detention. In June 2025, the Southern District Military Court extended the detention of the four defendants, including Aziz Azizov, at least until October 7, 2025.

In March 2026, the court extended the preventive measure for Aziz Azizov, Rustem Osmanov, Memet Lumanov, and Mustafa Abduramanov until July 7, 2026. The defense argued that the extension of detention was unfounded. Lawyer Emil Kurbedinov emphasized that the case is biased, and Azizov is in custody not due to proven criminal actions.

As of September 2, 2026, Aziz Azizov remains in custody in Russia. No court verdict has been found in verified open sources.

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

Photo: Suspilne Crimea.

Update date: 02.09.2026.