Detention: Following the onset of the full-scale war, Russia initiated politically motivated criminal proceedings against Dzhamala. In November 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation placed Dzhamala on the federal wanted list under a criminal charge. This was due to her public condemnation of Russian aggression and support for Ukraine.

Sentence: In June 2024, the occupation authorities in Crimea unlawfully included Dzhamala in the list of individuals whose property is subject to so-called 'nationalization' in the temporarily occupied peninsula. This decision is not recognized by Ukraine and the international community.
Susana Alimivna Dzhamaladinova was born on August 27, 1983, in Osh (Kyrgyz SSR) to a family of deported Crimean Tatars. In 1989, her family returned to Crimea and settled in the village of Malorechenske near Alushta. She graduated from the Simferopol Music College and the National Music Academy of Ukraine named after P. I. Tchaikovsky. She is widely known by her stage name Dzhamala.

Dzhamala gained international fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song '1944', dedicated to the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people. The composition became a symbol of remembrance for the crimes of the Soviet regime and drew international attention to the history of the Crimean Tatars. Following the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, the singer consistently supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and regularly performs on international platforms calling for the liberation of the occupied peninsula.
Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Dzhamala actively participates in international charity concerts, information campaigns, and events in support of Ukraine. She addresses international audiences, speaking about Russian war crimes, the occupation of Crimea, and the need to protect the rights of the Crimean Tatar people. In 2023, the singer released the music album 'QIRIM', dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatars, which received wide international acclaim.

In November 2023, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs added Dzhamala to the federal wanted list. Ukrainian authorities and human rights defenders viewed these actions as another example of political persecution of Ukrainian citizens who openly support Ukraine and oppose Russian occupation.

In 2024, the occupation administration in Crimea also unlawfully announced the 'nationalization' of her property on the peninsula.

Dzhamala (Susana Dzhamaladinova) continues her creative, public, and international activities in support of Ukraine.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Radio Liberty, Ukrainska Pravda, Taras Shevchenko National Prize Committee of Ukraine, Ukraїner.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda.

Date of update: 21.10.2026.