Detention: Saliye Enverivna Azmyeeva was not detained by the Russian occupation authorities. However, she is subject to politically motivated criminal prosecution in absentia. The Russian occupation authorities have unlawfully accused her of involvement in the civil blockade of Crimea and the activities of the Crimean Tatar volunteer battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan ('Asker').

Sentence: In June 2026, she was added to the Russian list of 'terrorists' and declared wanted. Human rights defenders emphasize that the persecution is politically motivated and related to her pro-Ukrainian civic stance. The unlawful criminal proceedings and the wanted notice are not recognized by Ukraine or the international community.

Saliye Enverivna Azmyeeva was born on April 5, 1963, in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) to a family of deported Crimean Tatars. After the family's return to Ukraine, she lived in the village of Rykove (formerly Partizany) in the Henichesk district of Kherson region. She worked for many years as a mathematics teacher and later as the deputy director of the local secondary school.

Saliye Azmyeeva is a well-known public figure in the Crimean Tatar community of Kherson region. She founded the Henichesk District Center for the Development of Crimean Tatar Education and Culture 'Dernek', which focused on preserving the Crimean Tatar language, culture, and national traditions. She actively participated in the development of national education and civic initiatives.

After the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014, Saliye Azmyeeva openly supported Ukraine's territorial integrity, opposed the Russian occupation, and supported the Crimean Tatar national movement. According to human rights defenders, this civic stance became the basis for her subsequent political persecution.

In 2026, the Russian occupation authorities unlawfully accused her of alleged involvement in the civil blockade of Crimea and the volunteer battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan ('Asker'). In June 2026, she was added to the Russian list of 'terrorists', declared wanted, and subjected to criminal proceedings in absentia. No independent evidence of any criminal activity has been disclosed. Human rights organizations view these actions as another example of using Russian legislation to persecute Ukrainian public figures and Crimean Tatars.

The Crimean Tatar Resource Center and other Ukrainian human rights organizations emphasize that the persecution of Saliye Azmyeeva is part of a systemic policy by the Russian Federation to criminalize participants in the civil blockade of Crimea, veterans of the Crimean Tatar movement, and activists supporting Ukraine.

As of July 29, 2026, Saliye Azmyeeva is not in custody but remains the subject of politically motivated prosecution in absentia by the Russian occupation authorities. There is no information in open independent sources about a conviction or the termination of criminal proceedings.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Internet publication 'MOST' (founded by Kateryna Handziuk).

Photo: 'Most'.

Date updated: 29.07.2026.