Detention: On May 3, 2023, Russian security forces detained him in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region. Following his detention, a criminal case was initiated against him under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('Participation in an armed formation on the territory of a foreign state, not provided for by the legislation of this state, with purposes contrary to the interests of the Russian Federation'). The Russian side claimed that Asan Dursunov was allegedly a member of the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. He did not admit guilt.

Sentence: On November 16, 2023, the occupation court found Asan Dursunov guilty and sentenced him to 3 years and 6 months in a strict regime colony, with the first year to be served in prison. Alongside him, Nariman Derman and Eldar Kestan were also convicted in the same case.

Dursunov Asan Yebryshevich is a Crimean Tatar, a resident of the village of Rykove, Henichesk district, Kherson region, Ukraine. He is married and has three young children.

Before his detention, Asan Dursunov was engaged in farming.

During the trial, the defense emphasized that the prosecution did not provide convincing evidence of Asan Dursunov's participation in any illegal armed formations or violent actions. Human rights defenders note that the criminal prosecution was mainly based on the investigation's claims, and the trial did not adhere to fair trial standards.

After sentencing, Asan Dursunov was transferred to a facility of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation. Due to the relocation far from his home, his family faced significant difficulties in maintaining contact and sending necessary items. Human rights defenders emphasize that the transfer of civilians from occupied territory to places of detention in Russia violates the Fourth Geneva Convention.

As of July 9, 2026, Asan Dursunov continues to unlawfully serve his sentence in a facility of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation. Human rights defenders continue to document his case as an example of politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian citizens in temporarily occupied territories.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA Human Rights Center, CrimeaSOS, Memorial.

Update date: 09.07.2026.