Detention: On March 28, 2019, during the largest raids on Crimean Tatar homes in Simferopol and surrounding villages, Russian FSB officers detained Remzi Ismailovich Bekirov — a citizen journalist, activist of 'Crimean Solidarity,' and correspondent for the online publication 'Grani.ru.' Along with him, more than twenty Crimean Tatars were detained as part of the so-called 'second Simferopol Hizb ut-Tahrir case.' Russian investigators accused him of organizing the activities of a terrorist organization, although no evidence of preparation or commission of violent acts was provided. Ukrainian and international human rights defenders called the case politically motivated and linked it to Remzi's active journalistic work and his coverage of repressions in occupied Crimea.

Sentence: On March 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Remzi Bekirov to 19 years of imprisonment. The first 5 years are to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. The court also imposed one year of restricted freedom after release. Human rights defenders emphasized that the sentence was based on covert recordings of religious conversations, anonymous witness testimonies, and expert conclusions, rather than evidence of any terrorist activity.

Bekirov Remzi Rustemovich was born on February 20, 1985, in the city of Bekabad, Tashkent region, Uzbek SSR.

In September 1992, they moved to the village of Pershotravneve, Kirovsky district, AR Crimea.

In 1992, he was enrolled in the 1st grade of Pershotravneve Secondary School in the village of Pervomaiske, Kirovsky district, AR Crimea.

In 2002, he graduated from school and entered the Faculty of History at Tavrida National V.I. Vernadsky University. During his studies, he participated in many history competitions and Olympiads, winning prizes.

In 2007, he graduated from the university and received a bachelor's and specialist's degree. He completed tour guide courses and guitar playing courses.

Marital status – married, three children.

He conducted numerous live streams on the 'Vedzhie Kashka' case, the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case, and more. He filmed on the day Archbishop Klyment was detained. 'Probably, when it's all over, I'll be a journalist,' Remzi recently said.

In February 2017, he was also one of ten Crimean Tatars detained for coming to the site of a search in Kamyanka. At that time, Remzi received his first-ever 5-day administrative arrest under Article 20.2 of the Administrative Offenses Code (search at Marlen Mustafayev's). He had not been previously convicted or held administratively or criminally liable.

In March 2017, he was detained directly in the building of the Center for Combating Extremism, where he came to retrieve a personal item seized during the first detention in Kamyanka. That day, he was not released and received an additional 3-day administrative arrest under Article 20:29 of the Administrative Offenses Code for a post on VKontakte. He had come to the CPE for a cap with Muslim symbols. The Simferopol District Court of Crimea arrested him for allegedly 'producing and distributing extremist materials.'

After his detention, Remzi was placed in a pre-trial detention center, and his case was combined with other defendants in the 'second Simferopol Hizb ut-Tahrir case.' Human rights defenders stated from the outset that the true reason for the persecution was his journalistic work, documenting political repressions, and supporting other political prisoners. Remzi did not plead guilty and emphasized that he was engaged solely in civic and journalistic activities.

During the trial, Remzi Bekirov's defense repeatedly pointed out that the charges lacked evidence of his involvement in preparing or committing any violent crimes. The main evidence, as in other 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' cases, consisted of covert audio recordings of religious conversations, expert conclusions, and testimonies of anonymous witnesses. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations emphasized that the true reason for the persecution was his journalistic activity and coverage of human rights violations in occupied Crimea.

On March 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Remzi Bekirov to 19 years of imprisonment. The first 5 years are to be served in prison, followed by a strict regime colony. The court also imposed one year of restricted freedom after release. Subsequently, the appellate military court left the sentence largely unchanged.

After being transferred, Remzi was moved to a correctional colony more than five thousand kilometers from Crimea, significantly complicating family visits. The Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea emphasized that such relocation violates international humanitarian law. In 2024–2025, family and human rights defenders reported pressure from the colony administration. According to Suspilne Crimea, Remzi was repeatedly placed in solitary confinement without reason, and the administration imposed disciplinary penalties on him.

Despite imprisonment, Remzi continues to correspond with his family and supports other Ukrainian political prisoners. His wife, Khalide Bekirova, actively participates in international information campaigns, telling about his case and the persecution of Crimean Tatars. Remzi has repeatedly stated in his letters that he does not lose faith in returning home and freeing all unlawfully imprisoned.

As of July 5, 2026, Remzi Bekirov continues to serve his sentence unlawfully. Ukrainian state bodies, human rights organizations, and international institutions consider him a political prisoner and a symbol of citizen journalism in occupied Crimea.

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

Photo: Suspilne Crimea.

Date of update: 07/06/2026.