Arrest: On August 17, 2021, Russian security forces conducted a series of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Sevastopol, Simferopol, and Bakhchisaray districts of occupied Crimea. Dzhebbar Seyranovich Bekirov was among those detained. Rustem Murasov, Rustem Tair, Zaur Abdullayev, and Raif Fevziev were also detained. They were all accused of involvement in the activities of the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which Russia has recognized as terrorist, although it is not banned in Ukraine. Human rights defenders stated that the case is politically motivated and is another episode of systemic persecution of Crimean Tatars on religious and civil grounds.

Sentence: On May 31, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Dzhebbar Bekirov to 17 years in prison. The first 4 years are to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. The court also imposed 1.5 years of restricted freedom after release. Russian investigators labeled him as an 'organizer' of a Hizb ut-Tahrir cell, but human rights defenders emphasized that the charges were primarily based on covert recordings of religious conversations, testimonies of anonymous witnesses, and expert conclusions without evidence of preparation or commission of violent acts.

Dzhebbar Seyranovich Bekirov was born on April 21, 1970. He lived in Sevastopol, was a Crimean Tatar, married, and had two children. By education, he was an aviation mechanic, but in recent years before his arrest, he worked as a baker. Friends and acquaintances remember him as a calm, sincere, and very religious person who worked hard to support his family. There is little information in open sources about his public activities before the arrest, but it is known that he was an active Muslim and maintained connections with the Crimean Tatar community.

After the search on August 17, 2021, Dzhebbar was detained and sent to a pre-trial detention center. During court hearings, he categorically denied the charges. In one of his last statements before the court, Bekirov said that as a Muslim, he considers terrorism one of the gravest sins before God and therefore could not be involved in the activities he is accused of. His words were repeatedly cited by human rights defenders as an example of how those accused in 'Hizb ut-Tahrir cases' publicly explained their position.

During the trial, Dzhebbar Bekirov's lawyers repeatedly pointed out that the prosecution did not provide evidence of his involvement in the preparation or commission of violent acts. As in many other Crimean 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' cases, the main evidence consisted of covert audio recordings of religious conversations, expert conclusions, and testimonies of anonymous witnesses. Ukrainian human rights defenders emphasized that such practices are used by Russia to persecute Crimean Tatars who openly practice Islam or actively participate in their community's life.

On May 31, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Dzhebbar Bekirov guilty and sentenced him to 17 years in prison. The first 4 years are to be served in prison, followed by a strict regime colony. Additionally, the court imposed 1 year and 6 months of restricted freedom after release. Subsequently, the appellate military court upheld the sentence.

After being transferred to Russia, Dzhebbar Bekirov is serving his sentence far from Crimea. According to his relatives, he began to complain about deteriorating health in detention. Specifically, he developed serious dental issues, but timely dental care was not provided. His wife also reported a shortage of necessary medications and difficulties in sending medicines to the penal institution. Human rights defenders regularly emphasize that inadequate medical care remains one of the most pressing issues for Ukrainian political prisoners in Russian colonies.

Despite imprisonment, Dzhebbar maintains contact with his family through correspondence. The family participates in campaigns supporting Crimean political prisoners, and human rights organizations continuously inform about his case and health condition. His story is one of many that demonstrate the use of Russia's anti-terrorism legislation as a tool of political persecution in the occupied peninsula.

As of July 5, 2026, Dzhebbar Bekirov continues to serve his sentence unlawfully. Ukrainian state institutions and human rights organizations include him in the lists of Ukrainian citizens unlawfully deprived of liberty by Russia for political reasons and continue to demand his release.

Information used from open sources: Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, ZMINA, Crimean Solidarity, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, CrimeaSOS, Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, Ukrinform, Radio Liberty.

Photo: Crimean Solidarity.

Date of update: 07/05/2026