Detention: On May 29, 2024, Russian security forces searched her home and detained her. Initially, the occupation court sentenced her to 15 days of administrative arrest for allegedly refusing a medical examination for drug use. After this period, Lera was not released but handed over to FSB officers. She was held incommunicado for nearly ten months, without contact with family or lawyers. It was only in the spring of 2025 that it became known a criminal case had been initiated against her under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('treason'). The Russian side claimed she allegedly passed information to Ukrainian intelligence about the locations of Russian military units in Crimea. Ukrainian human rights defenders emphasize that it is impossible to independently verify these claims due to the complete secrecy of the investigation and the prolonged concealment of Lera's whereabouts.

Sentence: On August 20, 2025, the Russian-controlled 'Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea' found Lera Djemilova guilty of 'treason' and sentenced her to 15 years in a general regime colony, 1 year and 6 months of restricted freedom after release, and a fine of 100,000 rubles. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' recognized her as a political prisoner, stressing that the prosecution is politically motivated and the evidence in the case was not publicly verified. In 2026, Lera was transferred to a women's colony in the Volgograd region of Russia.

Lera Dilyaver kizi Djemilova was born on November 29, 1996 — a citizen of Ukraine, a Crimean Tatar, resident of the Dzhankoy district of temporarily occupied Crimea.

Before her detention, Lera Djemilova lived with her family in the Dzhankoy district. There is almost no information in open sources about her professional activities or public engagement. Therefore, human rights defenders view her case as another example of the persecution of civilian residents of occupied Crimea. After her arrest, the family did not know Lera's whereabouts for a long time, which became one of the most egregious violations of her rights.

During her time in the pre-trial detention center, Lera Djemilova's health significantly deteriorated. It is known that she suffers from epilepsy, and in detention, her seizures became more frequent and severe. Human rights defenders have repeatedly reported the lack of proper medical care and called for independent doctors to be allowed to see her.

After the administrative arrest, Lera Djemilova was effectively held without contact with the outside world. Relatives did not know her whereabouts for a long time, and independent lawyers were not allowed to participate in the case. Human rights defenders emphasize that such incommunicado detention is a gross violation of the right to defense and creates a risk of psychological or physical pressure. Due to the closed nature of the criminal proceedings, it is impossible to independently verify the evidence on which the conviction was based.

Particular concern is raised about Lera Djemilova's health. According to family and human rights defenders, she suffers from epilepsy, and during her time in the Crimean pre-trial detention center, her seizures increased. Despite this, she did not receive the necessary specialized treatment. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' stated that the lack of medical assistance poses a real threat to her life and health.

Lera Djemilova's case is documented by 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial', Suspilne Crimea, the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Human Rights Center ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, the Crimean Human Rights Group, and other Ukrainian human rights organizations. They consider her persecution politically motivated and demand her immediate release.

As of July 9, 2026, Lera Djemilova continues to be unlawfully held in a women's colony in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation. Human rights defenders continue to demand that she receive proper medical care, access to independent doctors, and her release.

Information used from open sources: Human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial', Suspilne Crimea, the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Human Rights Center ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, the Crimean Human Rights Group.

Photo: Human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial'.

Update date: 09.07.2026