Detention: On June 10, 2019, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea. Ruslan Mesutov was detained in the village of Maly Mayak, Alushta district. Along with him, Ruslan Nagayev, Eldar Kantimirov, and Lenur Khalilov were also detained that day. Mesutov was taken into custody.

Sentence: On August 16, 2021, the Southern District Military Court of Russia sentenced Ruslan Mesutov to 18 years in a high-security penal colony. Additionally, he was given 1 year and 6 months of restricted freedom after release. Mesutov was charged under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for “organizing the activities of a terrorist organization” and Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 for “preparation for violent seizure of power.”

Ruslan Mesutov was born on September 11, 1965, in Uzbekistan. He is of Crimean Tatar ethnicity and holds citizenship of Ukraine and Russia. After returning to Crimea in 1988, he settled in Alushta. He worked as a turner at a local enterprise, where he received a plot of land. Later, he brought his parents and sisters to Crimea.

In 2000, he married Elzara Godzhenova. The couple had two sons, Ramazan and Muhammad. Mesutov participated in the Crimean Tatar national movement and engaged in religious and community activities. He worked as a guard at a mosque and was one of the founders of the Muslim religious community “Alushta.” He also organized religious holidays, assisted with funerals, and led prayers.

The “Alushta” community was part of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea. According to Ukrainian human rights activists, persecution of community members occurred amid increased Russian control over independent Muslim communities after the occupation of Crimea.

On June 10, 2019, after a search of Mesutov's home, Russian security forces detained him in Maly Mayak. The investigation accused him and other defendants in the so-called “Alushta case” of involvement with “Hizb ut-Tahrir,” which Russia declared a terrorist organization in 2003. Meanwhile, in Ukraine and most countries, “Hizb ut-Tahrir” is not banned as a terrorist organization. Human rights activists emphasize that the persecution of Crimean Muslims for participating in religious communities and discussing religious issues is politically motivated.

After nearly two years of imprisonment, on August 16, 2021, Mesutov was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha, Moscow region, upheld the sentence.

During imprisonment, Ruslan Mesutov's health gradually deteriorated. Human rights activists reported illnesses requiring medical attention. In 2022, the administration of the Russian colony confiscated his Quran, and he faced dietary issues due to the presence of pork, which he does not consume due to religious beliefs.

In November 2024, after being transferred, Mesutov was moved to Correctional Colony No. 1 in Yakutsk, over 9,000 kilometers from Crimea. Upon arrival, he was placed in a punishment cell. According to relatives, his personal belongings, including his Quran, glasses, and medication, were confiscated.

In March 2025, due to heart problems, arterial hypertension, and frequent fainting, Mesutov was transferred from the colony to a hospital in the village of Tabaga. He was also diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C and reported chronic spinal issues. Despite a planned 21-day treatment, he was returned to the colony after a week.

According to the latest available public reports in 2025, after returning to the colony, Mesutov continued to be held under strict regime conditions and prolonged detention in a punishment cell. Due to his health condition, relatives and his lawyer sought his transfer closer to Crimea. As of the date of the update, there is no confirmed information about Ruslan Mesutov's release.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Suspilne Crimea, CrimeaSOS, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Human Rights Project “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial,” United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Photo: CrimeaSOS.

Date of update: 07.09.2026.