Detention: On March 5, 2024, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisaray and Dzhankoy districts. Around 4:30 a.m., they broke into the Lumanov household.

Sentence: As of July 19, 2026, no verdict has been issued for Memet. Memet Lumanov is held in pre-trial detention centre No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. The Russian Federation accuses him under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('Organization of activities of a terrorist organization'), alleging involvement with the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is legal in Ukraine but banned in Russia. Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated.

Lumanov Memet Ayderovich was born on July 28, 1988, in Chinoz, Uzbekistan. His mother was a teacher of algebra and geometry, and his father was a driver. In 1994, Memet started school, where he was remembered as a capable student with a mathematical mindset. After graduating, he attended Yangiyul Technological College, studying finance. Following his mother's death from cancer in 2006, he moved to Crimea a year later, settling in the Bakhchisaray district with his family. He worked as a plumber and sales representative.

In 2013, Memet met his future wife, Anna Korniychuk. They married two weeks later. The couple has three children. According to his wife, Memet always devoted much time to his family, was an attentive father, and willingly helped others.

Due to his active civic position, Memet faced administrative penalties several times. In October 2017, he held a solo protest against Russian security forces' repressions in Crimea, for which he was fined by the court.

At the end of 2021, he was charged with failing to comply with emergency behavior rules. He was near a military court in Crimea, supporting detained Crimean Tatars.

In February 2022, Memet was detained again near the Bakhchisaray district court while supporting compatriot Edem Dudakov. The court sentenced Memet to 10 days of administrative arrest for organizing a mass gathering in public places.

In the summer of 2023, the Crimean Tatar was detained again for supporting compatriots detained by the FSB in Bakhchisaray.

On March 5, 2024, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisaray and Dzhankoy districts. Around 4:30 a.m., they broke into the Lumanov household. According to his wife, FSB officers did not allow Memet to have breakfast or perform his morning prayer, giving him only a few minutes to gather his things before taking him away. Religious literature was seized during the search and later used as part of the charges. He was arrested the same day.

Memet Lumanov was included in the so-called 'sixth Bakhchisaray group in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case.' Russian investigators accuse him of organizing activities of a terrorist organization, but no evidence of preparing or committing violent acts has been disclosed. As in other similar Crimean cases, the charges are mainly based on secret testimonies, religious literature, and expert opinions, which have been repeatedly criticized by international human rights organizations.

After his arrest, Memet was initially held in pre-trial detention centre No. 2 in Simferopol and later unlawfully transferred to pre-trial detention centre No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. The Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and human rights organizations emphasize that transferring civilians from occupied Ukrainian territory to the Russian Federation violates international humanitarian law.

As of July 19, 2026, Memet Lumanov remains in custody, and his case is ongoing in the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations view his persecution as part of a systemic campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars and civic activists in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Information used from open sources: Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne Crimea, ZMINA, Crimean Solidarity, Human Rights Project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial'.

Photo: ZMINA.

Date updated: 19.07.2026