Detention: On March 5, 2024, in the village of Pakharivka, Dzhankoy district of occupied Crimea, Russian security forces searched Ali Mamutov's home and detained him. He became a figure in the so-called 'third Dzhankoy group' in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. The following day, the occupation court in Simferopol ordered his pre-trial detention.

Mamutov was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for participation in an organization recognized as terrorist by Russian authorities, and under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged preparation for the violent seizure of power.

Sentence: On May 21, 2026, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Ali Mamutov to 14 years of imprisonment. The first two years are to be served in prison, followed by a term in a strict regime colony. The sentence is not final and may be appealed in the Military Court of Appeal.

Ali Rizaevich Mamutov was born on April 10, 1976, in Bekabad, Tashkent region, Uzbekistan. He is of Crimean Tatar ethnicity. After the Crimean Tatar people's return from deportation, his family settled in Crimea. Before his detention, Ali lived in the village of Pakharivka, Dzhankoy district. He was married and, together with his wife Lenara Sheikhislamova, raised three children. Professionally, Mamutov was a builder and also assisted in organizing iftars as a cook's assistant.

Before and after the Russian occupation of Crimea, Mamutov led a typical family and professional life. After 2014, like many other Crimean Tatars, he actively supported compatriots persecuted by Russian security structures. Mamutov attended court hearings in politically motivated cases against Crimean Tatars, supported families of political prisoners, and participated in community life.

On March 5, 2024, Russian security forces searched his home in Pakharivka. According to his wife, the security forces frightened the children with weapons and allegedly planted religious literature that the family did not previously possess. After the search, Mamutov was detained and taken to the occupation court.

In March 2024, along with Mamutov, Crimean Tatars Enver Khalilayev, Nariman Ametov, Vokhid Mustafayev, Remzi Kurtnazirov, and others were detained as part of this wave of persecution. The human rights organization CrimeaSOS, along with other human rights defenders, called these detentions another wave of persecution against Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea.

The trial began in January 2025 at the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. The accused denied involvement in terrorist activities and reported pressure from Russian security forces. Human rights defenders view such cases against Crimean Tatars as politically motivated persecution.

On May 21, 2026, the court swiftly announced sentences for five defendants in the case. Ali Mamutov received 14 years, Vokhid Mustafayev 14 years, Enver Khalilayev 14 years and 6 months, Nariman Ametov 15 years, and Remzi Kurtnazirov 20 years. According to human rights defenders, the defense and defendants moved from court debates and final statements to sentencing in a single day.

After the sentencing, the family reported a further deterioration in Mamutov's health and a lack of proper medical treatment in the pre-trial detention center. As of September 6, 2026, Ali Mamutov remains in custody in Rostov-on-Don, awaiting consideration of the appeal.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, CrimeaSOS, Suspilne Crimea, Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Krym.Realii.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 09/06/2026.