Detention: In October 2019, Mark Davidov was detained by FSB officers in Krasnodar Krai. Russian investigators alleged he maintained contacts with a Tajik citizen considered a member of the Syrian group 'Hayat Tahrir al-Sham' and accused him of financing terrorist activities, aiding, preparing to participate in a terrorist organization, and preparing to join an illegal armed group. Human rights defenders note that 'Hayat Tahrir al-Sham' was officially recognized as a terrorist organization by the Russian Supreme Court only in June 2020, after Davidov's detention. This became a key argument for the political motivation of the case.

Sentence: On April 7, 2021, he was sentenced under Part 5 of Article 33, Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ('Aiding in the financing of terrorism'), Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 ('Financing of terrorism'), and Parts 1, 3 of Article 30, Part 2 of Article 205.5 ('Preparation to attempt participation in a terrorist organization') to 18 years in a strict regime colony, with the first 2 years in prison. On October 6, 2021, the appellate court reclassified the charges under Parts 1, 3 of Article 30, Part 2 of Article 205.5 to Part 1 of Article 30, Part 2 of Article 208 ('Preparation to participate in an armed formation in a foreign state not provided for by the legislation of this state, with purposes contrary to the interests of the Russian Federation'). On September 21, 2022, the cassation court reclassified the charges under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 to Part 1 of Article 30, Part 1.1 of Article 205.1, and imposed a final sentence of 17 years, with the first 2 years in prison and the remaining term in a strict regime colony.

Mark Anatoliyovych Davidov was born on November 23, 1972, a Ukrainian citizen residing in Alushta (temporarily occupied Crimea). In 2009, he converted to Islam and began actively studying the religion. Before his arrest, Mark Davidov lived in Alushta with his family.

Davidov did not admit guilt and reported psychological and physical pressure during the investigation.

During the trial, the defense argued that much of the accusation was based on assumptions, and some episodes involved an organization not officially banned in Russia at the time of the alleged events. Independent human rights defenders also pointed to numerous violations of the right to a fair trial and inadequate evaluation of evidence.

During the proceedings, Mark Davidov reported physical and psychological pressure after his detention. He claimed he was coerced into providing testimony favorable to the investigation. Human rights defenders emphasize that allegations of possible mistreatment were not effectively investigated, and the court refused to properly examine these circumstances. Additionally, much of the evidence was based on operational investigative activities and expert conclusions, which the defense considered unconvincing.

As of July 9, 2026, Mark Davidov continues to serve an unlawfully imposed sentence in a facility of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR), Center for Civil Liberties.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 09.07.2026.