Detention: On January 29, 2015, in Bakhchysarai, Ahtem Chiygoz was detained by occupying forces during a meeting in a cafe. The reason was his participation in a rally outside the Crimean Supreme Council on February 26, 2014, a day before the illegal 'referendum'. On that day, Crimean Tatars and pro-Ukrainian residents gathered outside the parliament to prevent the decision to join Russia. Chiygoz attempted to assist the police in keeping the two crowds apart. He was later charged with 'organizing mass disturbances' (part 1, Article 212 of the Russian Criminal Code).

Sentence: On September 11, 2017, the Russia-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea sentenced Ahtem Chiygoz to 8 years in a strict regime colony. As the verdict was read, he applauded because the court recognized him as a 'citizen of Ukraine' in the introductory part: 'I have already won,' Chiygoz said. On October 25, 2017, through the mediation of Turkish President Erdogan, Chiygoz, along with Ilmi Umerov, was transferred to Turkey and released. They returned to Ukraine on October 27. Neither Chiygoz nor Umerov signed any clemency requests to Putin.

Ahtem Zeytullayevich Chiygoz was born on December 14, 1964, in Bulungur, Samarkand Region of the Uzbek SSR, where his deported Crimean Tatar family resided. In 1989, he returned to Crimea. At various times, he worked as a carpenter and a worker in a mobile mechanized column in Bakhchysarai. Since 2002, he has been the head of the Bakhchysarai Regional Mejlis, and since 2008, the deputy head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people. His brother, Rustem Chiygoz, is also a Crimean Tatar politician.

Family: His wife Elmira Ablyalimova-Chiygoz is a Crimean Tatar and public figure, twice a deputy of the Bakhchysarai City Council, headed the Bakhchysarai State Historical and Cultural Reserve in 2014, and since 2020, a member of the Expert Council of the Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Son — Ilmi Ahtem ogli Chiygoz.

The entire family remained in Crimea during and after Ahtem's imprisonment. During his imprisonment, his wife Elmira came to the pre-trial detention centre every morning, standing outside as she could not enter: 'This way, she felt close to me,' Chiygoz recounted.

A more severe blow was the death of his mother during his imprisonment. Her illness worsened after his arrest, leaving her bedridden. Lawyers repeatedly requested the court to allow Ahtem to visit her, and the court eventually permitted one visit. 'I did see her. I said it was probably the last time we would meet,' Chiygoz recalls. A few days after this meeting, his mother passed away. Ahtem was not allowed to attend the funeral.

Throughout nearly three years of imprisonment, Chiygoz did not admit guilt. His case gained significant international attention: the Council of Europe called the sentence 'another blow by Russia against the Mejlis', and the US State Department described the imprisonment as 'politically motivated'. In 2020, Russia imposed sanctions against Chiygoz.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Radio Liberty (Crimea.Realii), Suspilne Crimea, Suspilne Ternopil, Ukrinform, RBC-Ukraine.

Photo: ZMINA.

Last updated: 03.07.2026.