Detention: On November 16, 2022, Albert Kruglov, a resident of Alushta, was detained by FSB officers at the bus station in Simferopol. Russian authorities accused him of allegedly preparing to join the Ukrainian unit 'Azov' and 'preparing for high treason.'

Sentence: On October 4, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Albert Kruglov to 8 years in a strict regime colony, with the first three years to be served in prison.

Albert Lorykovych Kruglov was born on May 27, 2000, and lived in Alushta, in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. He belongs to the generation of young Crimeans who grew up under constant political pressure, militarization of the peninsula, and restrictions on fundamental human rights and freedoms. According to human rights activists, Kruglov held Ukrainian citizenship and also had Russian documents, obtained as a result of the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

Before his persecution, he worked in the construction sector and engaged in self-education. During the trial, it was noted that Albert was critical of Russian policies following the occupation of Crimea and did not hide his views on the peninsula's future.

The first persecution by Russian security forces began in 2018. FSB officers conducted a search of his residence in Alushta. Subsequently, a criminal case was opened against the young Crimean under several articles of Russian law related to the illegal manufacture and storage of explosives, as well as so-called 'calls for extremist activity.' In May 2019, the Russian-controlled Alushta City Court sentenced Kruglov to 1 year and 8 months of imprisonment and a fine of 60,000 rubles.

After serving his sentence, the young man remained under increased scrutiny by Russian security forces. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a new phase in his persecution. According to the Russian investigation, Kruglov opposed the war and allegedly attempted to travel to Ukrainian-controlled territory to join a Ukrainian military formation. These circumstances were used by the FSB to open a new criminal case.

On November 16, 2022, he was detained in Simferopol and sent to a pre-trial detention centre. However, the case was essentially built around intentions and assumptions rather than concrete actions, raising serious questions about its validity.

In April 2023, the case materials were transferred to the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. The Russian prosecution argued that the mere intention to leave occupied Crimea and support Ukraine could be interpreted as 'high treason.'

On October 4, 2023, the court in Rostov-on-Don delivered a guilty verdict. Despite the prosecution's demand for 12 years of imprisonment, Albert Kruglov was sentenced to 8 years in a strict regime colony. The first three years of the sentence are to be served in prison, after which he will be transferred to a colony.

Currently, Albert Kruglov remains behind bars. His case continues to draw attention from the human rights community, which views it in the context of systemic political repression on the occupied peninsula.

Information used from open sources: Krym.Realii, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Memorial.

Photo: Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Last updated: 15.07.2026.