Arrest: On February 14, 2019, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Krasnogvardeysky district and detained Rustem Emiruseinov along with Arsen Abkhairov and Eskender Abdulganiyev. He was accused of "organizing the activities of a terrorist organization" (Part 1, Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code) due to alleged involvement with the Islamic political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned in Russia but operates legally in Ukraine and most countries worldwide. Human rights defenders emphasize that no evidence of preparation for violent acts or terrorist activities was presented.

Sentence: On November 3, 2020, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Rustem Emiruseinov guilty and sentenced him to 17 years in a strict regime colony with subsequent restriction of freedom. On November 1, 2021, the Military Appeals Court in Vlasikha upheld the sentence. The human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial," the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and other international organizations recognized him as a political prisoner. After the verdict came into force, Rustem was transferred to a prison in Balashov, Saratov region, where he is serving his sentence.

Rustem Reshatovich was born on July 5, 1979, in the city of Bekabad, Tashkent region, Uzbekistan, where he later attended school. In 1989, he returned with his parents and sister to Crimea, to the settlement of Zhovtneve, Chervonogvardeysky district. There, Rustem completed 9 grades at the Crimean Tatar National School named after I. Gasprinsky, then entered the Chervonogvardeysky Private Men's Lyceum.

After the lyceum, in 1996, he entered the Faculty of History at Istanbul University, but due to certain circumstances, he returned to Crimea a few years later. In 2002, Rustem married, and in the marriage, he had three wonderful children: Ali, Aishe, and Hatice. Until his arrest, he was engaged in private entrepreneurship in the trade sector.

In 2014, when Crimean Tatars began facing persecution and repression, Rustem was one who did not stand aside, attending courts and participating in solitary pickets. He considered it his duty to support all fellow countrymen unjustly accused and arrested. Just a week before his arrest, having just returned from Rostov-on-Don, where the case of the first Simferopol group was being considered, he was already planning his next trip there.

During the investigation, the charges were mainly based on covert audio recordings of religious discussions, expert conclusions, and testimonies of anonymous witnesses. The defense repeatedly emphasized that the case lacked evidence of Rustem Emiruseinov's involvement in any terrorist activities or calls for violence.

During the trial, Rustem Emiruseinov's lawyers repeatedly reported numerous violations of the right to a fair trial. The defense emphasized that the prosecution did not provide any evidence of preparation or commission of violent acts, and the verdict was based on the results of covert surveillance, religious studies examinations, and testimonies of anonymous witnesses. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations consider the case part of a systemic campaign of persecution against Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea under the guise of combating terrorism.

After being transferred to the Russian Federation, Rustem Emiruseinov is held thousands of kilometers away from his family. In 2022, the family of political prisoner Rustem Emiruseinov managed to meet him during a long visit in the city of Balashov, Saratov region.

Human rights defenders emphasize that the transfer of civilians from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine to places of imprisonment in Russia violates international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Rustem Emiruseinov's case is documented by the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, the human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial," Crimean Solidarity, the Human Rights Center ZMINA, the Crimean Human Rights Group, and the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. All of them recognize him as a political prisoner and call for his immediate release.

As of July 9, 2026, Rustem Emiruseinov continues to serve an unlawful sentence in a facility of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation. Human rights organizations continue to demand his release and the cessation of politically motivated persecution of Crimean Tatars.

Information used from open sources: Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, Human Rights Center ZMINA, Crimean Human Rights Group, Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Photo: Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Date of update: 09.07.2026