Detention: On April 6, 2022, Crimean Tatar Arsen Ibraimov was detained by Russian FSB officers at the administrative border between Kherson Oblast and temporarily occupied Crimea. Subsequently, Russian authorities accused him of participating in the Noman Çelebicihan Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion, which is recognized as a 'terrorist organization' in Russia. Arsen Ibraimov categorically denied any involvement with the battalion and did not plead guilty.

Sentence: On August 25, 2022, the Russia-controlled Kyiv District Court of Simferopol sentenced Arsen Ibraimov to 10 years in a strict regime colony, with the first year to be served in prison. In December 2022, the so-called Supreme Court of Crimea upheld the sentence and dismissed the defense's appeal.

Arsen Ibraimov is a Crimean Tatar, a Ukrainian citizen, and one of the many political prisoners persecuted by the Russian Federation in occupied Ukrainian territories. Human rights defenders consider the persecution of Arsen politically motivated, and regard him as a political prisoner.

Arsen Ibraimov was born and lived in Kherson region. As of 2025, he was 36 years old. He hails from the village of Antonivka and belongs to the Crimean Tatar people, who have become one of the most persecuted groups by Russian authorities following the occupation of Crimea.

During the investigation, Arsen Ibraimov reported cruel treatment and pressure from FSB officers. In an interview published after his sentencing, he stated that he was beaten on the head and ribs for refusing to cooperate with the investigation and admit guilt. The human rights organization CrimeaSOS also reported the use of torture and psychological pressure against him. According to the political prisoner, the Russian system sought to obtain necessary testimony for the prosecution, but he refused to incriminate himself.

The trial of Arsen Ibraimov took place in Crimea under the control of the occupation administration.

Human rights defenders have repeatedly emphasized that in such cases, there is a lack of proper evidence of guilt, and accusations are often based on testimonies from anonymous individuals or those cooperating with the FSB. Despite this, in August 2022, the court issued a guilty verdict and sentenced Arsen to 10 years of imprisonment. The appellate court did not consider the defense's arguments and left the decision unchanged.

Relatives reported numerous health problems that arose or worsened during Arsen's detention. In June 2023, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, reported that due to inadequate conditions in the Simferopol pre-trial detention centre, the political prisoner's chronic bronchitis worsened.

Before his transfer, relatives provided him with necessary medication, but he never received it.

Arsen's condition continued to deteriorate. Due to systematic lack of medical assistance, absence of proper treatment for bronchitis, and repeated pneumonia, he developed bronchial asthma. The harsh climate of Omsk, where he is serving his sentence, and the overcrowded and poor conditions in the colony pose a significant threat to his health.

According to human rights defenders, Arsen has suffered from pneumonia several times, and receives necessary medical supplies only through the support of relatives. However, the ability to send medication is severely restricted by Russian detention rules. Relatives fear that without proper treatment, his life may be in real danger.

Today, Arsen Ibraimov remains unlawfully imprisoned, and Ukrainian and international human rights defenders continue to demand his release and the release of other Ukrainian political prisoners of the Kremlin.

Information used from open sources: Radio Liberty (Crimea.Realities), Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Ukrinform, Suspilne Crimea.

Photo: Suspilne Crimea.

Date of update: 10.07.2026.