Detention: On October 30, 2018, Russian security forces searched his home and detained Dilyaver. He was charged under part 2 of article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code for allegedly participating in the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. Gafarov categorically denied the charges, and human rights defenders stated that the case was politically motivated and based on fabricated evidence.

Sentence: On August 28, 2019, the Russian-controlled 'Kirovsky District Court of the Republic of Crimea' unlawfully sentenced Dilyaver Gafarov to 10 years in a high-security colony and 1 year of restricted freedom after release. The appellate court upheld the sentence. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' recognized him as a political prisoner, emphasizing that the persecution is related to his civic position, Crimean Tatar origin, and support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Dilyaver Alimovich Gafarov was born on October 14, 1996, in the village of Taman, Temryuk District, Krasnodar Krai.

In November 1996, when Dilyaver was one month old, the Gafarov family returned to Crimea, to the village of Perlyna in the Kirovsky District, where they lived continuously.

In 2003, he entered the first grade in the village of Pervomaiske, Kirovsky District, and graduated in 2014.

He actively participated in school life and events, and in sports competitions, enjoying football and volleyball. He was very sociable and communicative at school.

After graduation, he studied service and design at a college in Simferopol, earning a secondary specialized education as a hairdresser. He then worked as a hairdresser in the village of Pershotravneve.

In 2016, Dilyaver Gafarov went to Kyiv to study and work in his profession. He and his future wife, Dilyara, decided to marry and live in Kyiv for some time.

On September 23, 2017, they held a nikah (a Muslim marriage ceremony). Initially, the young family lived in a rented apartment in Kyiv, and Dilyaver worked as a sales consultant at the 'Allo' store.

In February 2018, Dilyaver Gafarov and his wife decided to return to Crimea. A month later, he started working as a furniture salesman and assembler in Stary Krym at the 'Emir' furniture store. He enjoyed the work, as he liked assembling furniture and small parts, and was known as a responsible and reliable employee. Six months later, he started working as a sales consultant at the 'Zatyshok' store. He was recognized as a disciplined, qualified, and diligent employee, excelling in his duties and known among colleagues as a reliable friend, ready to help and support them in any situation.

Besides work, Dilyaver engaged in sports and enjoyed repairing cars. He spent time with family and friends and went on nature outings. He actively participated in the construction and improvement of his home.

On October 30, 2018, a search was conducted in Dilyaver Gafarov's home in the village of Zhemchuzhina, followed by his detention on suspicion of a crime under part 2 of article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code 'Participation in an armed formation not provided for by federal law, as well as participation on the territory of a foreign state in an armed formation not provided for by the legislation of that state, for purposes contrary to the interests of the Russian Federation.'

After imprisonment, Dilyaver is serving his sentence in Correctional Colony No. 1 in Stavropol Krai, Russia. Human rights defenders reported disciplinary pressure: in 2023, he was placed in a punishment cell, which deprived him of the opportunity to fully observe Ramadan and maintain contact with his family.

During the trial, the Russian side claimed that Dilyaver Gafarov allegedly participated in the activities of the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. Meanwhile, the defense emphasized that the charges were not supported by proper evidence, and the case materials did not contain facts indicating his participation in combat or preparation of violent crimes. Human rights defenders note that Russia uses article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code to criminally prosecute Ukrainian citizens who supported Ukraine's territorial integrity or participated in the civil blockade of Crimea.

After the sentence came into force, Dilyaver Gafarov was transferred to Correctional Colony No. 1 in Stavropol Krai, Russia. During his sentence, he repeatedly faced disciplinary pressure. The colony administration placed him in a punishment cell (SHIZO), which, according to human rights defenders, was used as an additional means of psychological pressure. Such measures also limited his ability to maintain contact with his family and fully practice his religion.

The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' recognized Dilyaver Gafarov as a political prisoner. Crimean Solidarity, CrimeaSOS, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, ZMINA, and other organizations emphasize that his case exemplifies politically motivated persecution of Crimean Tatars using Russian criminal law on the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

As of July 7, 2026, Dilyaver Gafarov continues to serve an unlawful sentence in the Russian Federation. His case remains a focus for Ukrainian and international human rights organizations, which demand his release and an end to the practice of politically motivated criminal prosecution of Ukrainian citizens.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Solidarity, CrimeaSOS, ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Human Rights Project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial', Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Photo: Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Date of update: 07.07.2026.