Detention: On July 7, 2023, Russian occupiers detained Crimean Tatar Eldar Kestan, a member of the Partizany local Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and a resident of Partizany village (now Rykove) in Henichesk district, Kherson region. After his detention, his family was unaware of his whereabouts for over a month. He was held in isolation in occupied Chongar without access to a lawyer, contact with family, or proper legal protection.

Sentence: On November 28, 2023, the Russian-controlled so-called 'Henichesk District Court' in the occupied part of Kherson region found Eldar Kestan guilty under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in an armed formation not provided for by federal law') and sentenced him to 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment. After sentencing, he was transferred to Prison No. 2 in Yeniseisk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, and in April 2025, moved to strict regime Colony No. 17 in Krasnoyarsk.

Eldar Alimovich Kestan was born on May 24, 1980. He is a citizen of Ukraine, a Crimean Tatar, and a member of the Partizany local Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people. He worked as a timekeeper at LLC 'Metayatsi'. According to human rights defenders, he had no prior criminal record and was known in the community as a law-abiding citizen supporting local Crimean Tatar self-governance.

Following the full-scale Russian invasion and occupation of parts of Kherson region, Crimean Tatars in the area faced particular pressure from the occupying authorities. The village of Partizany, where Eldar Kestan lived, became a center of repression against Crimean Tatars. Many residents were forced to leave their homes due to fear of arrest and constant pressure.

Eldar's first court hearing took place on August 3, 2023. According to human rights defenders, fundamental rights were violated during the investigation and trial: he was isolated from the outside world, lacked proper access to a lawyer, and could not maintain contact with his family.

The basis for Eldar Kestan's persecution was the so-called 'Noman Çelebicihan Battalion case'. Russian investigators alleged that he participated in the battalion's activities since 2015. According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Kestan became the 57th Ukrainian citizen prosecuted in connection with the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion cases.

Despite the lack of widespread publicity of his case, Eldar Kestan's name is increasingly mentioned by human rights defenders among Ukrainian citizens who have become victims of political persecution during the Russian occupation.

Information used from open sources: Suspilne Crimea, ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Last updated: 07/11/2026.