Arrest: On February 11, 2016, FSB officers conducted a series of searches in Yalta and nearby areas. Enver Bekirov was among those detained, along with Emir-Usein Kuku, Muslim Aliyev, Vadim Siruk, Arsen Dzhepparov, and Refat Alimov. They were accused of involvement with the Islamic political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, recognized as terrorist in Russia, though not banned in Ukraine. Human rights organizations stated that the case is politically motivated and one of the first large-scale persecutions of Crimean Tatars after Crimea's occupation.

Verdict: On November 12, 2019, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Enver Bekirov guilty and sentenced him to 18 years in a high-security colony. The first 5 years of the sentence are to be served in prison, the remainder in a high-security colony. Additionally, the court imposed one year of restricted freedom after release. Human rights advocates highlighted that the verdict was based on covert recordings of religious discussions, anonymous witness testimonies, and expert opinions without evidence of planning or committing violent crimes.

Enver Nebiyevich Bekirov was born on January 1, 1963, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where his family was deported in May 1944. His childhood and youth were spent there.

From 1980 to 1982, Enver served in the army.

Enver Bekirov is well-rounded, with many interests in various fields. In Tajikistan, he graduated from a technical school and also trained as a bulldozer operator. Additionally, he earned a diploma in men's tailoring. He was passionate about classical wrestling and trained under the renowned coach Zhukov V.S.

In 1989, Enver Bekirov married his wife, Nataliya Bekirova. They have three daughters. Nataliya describes her husband as a wonderful spouse, caring father, and attentive grandfather.

In 1990, Enver Bekirov returned to Crimea. To support his family, he engaged in finishing construction work, molding, and apartment repairs. In 1992, Enver received a plot in the village of Chervonokamyanka in the Yalta city district, where he is still building a house.

Enver Bekirov is a Muslim, a Crimean Tatar, and a person concerned about his people's issues. He is very compassionate and always ready to help. A notable incident from his life illustrates this. Near his residence is a rock called Red Stone. Once, while Enver was nearby, a climber cut off two fingers—thumb and index—while descending. Enver, seeing this, acted swiftly. He wrapped the hand in a package, drove the climber to the hospital, where she received medical assistance.

Enver Bekirov helped organize celebrations and funerals; people often sought his help and were never refused. His involvement in the community's religious life, according to human rights defenders, was the basis for persecution by Russian security forces.

After his arrest, Enver was placed in a pre-trial detention center. Like other defendants in the Yalta Hizb ut-Tahrir case, the charges were not based on evidence of planning terrorist acts or violent actions but on recordings of religious conversations, conducted examinations, and testimonies of anonymous witnesses. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations have repeatedly stated that the case is political and used by Russia as a tool to pressure Crimean Tatars.

During the trial, Enver Bekirov's defense insisted that the case materials did not contain evidence of his involvement in terrorist activities. Lawyers repeatedly pointed out the use of anonymous witnesses, dubious religious studies, and covert audio recordings as the main evidence for the prosecution. Human rights defenders emphasized that such practices are typical for Crimean Hizb ut-Tahrir cases and are used to persecute Crimean Tatars for their religious beliefs and civic stance.

On November 12, 2019, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Enver Bekirov to 18 years in prison. The first 5 years are to be served in prison, followed by a high-security colony. Additionally, the court imposed one year of restricted freedom after release. The military appellate court later upheld the sentence with no significant changes.

During his imprisonment, Enver Bekirov's health significantly deteriorated. In 2023, it was reported that he suffered a minor stroke. His family and lawyers reported the need for specialized treatment, but according to them, he did not receive adequate medical care. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center and other human rights organizations have repeatedly stated that inadequate medical provision poses a real threat to his life and health.

After being transferred to Russia, Enver serves his sentence far from Crimea, complicating family visits. Despite this, he maintains contact with his family through correspondence. Human rights defenders regularly include his case in international campaigns supporting Ukrainian political prisoners and demand the release of all unlawfully detained Ukrainian citizens.

As of July 5, 2026, Enver Bekirov continues to serve the sentence imposed by the Russian court unlawfully. Ukrainian state institutions and international human rights organizations consider him a political prisoner and emphasize that the case exemplifies the use of Russia's anti-terrorism legislation to persecute Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea.

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

Photo: Crimean Solidarity.

Date updated: 07/06/2026.