Detention: On February 3, 2020, Nariman Mezhmedinov was detained by Russian security forces in occupied Crimea. He was suspected of alleged participation in the Crimean Tatar volunteer battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan. Russian authorities claimed that Mezhmedinov traveled to mainland Ukraine in 2016 and participated in the battalion's activities.

Following his detention, on February 4, 2020, the so-called Kyiv District Court of Simferopol ordered his pre-trial detention. The detention became publicly known only on February 17, 2020, when it was reported by Russian security forces.

Mezhmedinov was charged under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code — participation in an armed formation on the territory of a foreign state, not provided for by the legislation of that state, with a purpose that, according to Russian investigators, contradicts the interests of the Russian Federation. Ukrainian human rights defenders view this prosecution as politically motivated.

Sentence: On July 20, 2020, the so-called 'Chornomorsky District Court' of occupied Crimea sentenced Nariman Mezhmedinov to 8 years in a strict regime colony under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code. On December 11, 2020, the so-called 'Supreme Court of Crimea' upheld the sentence.

Nariman Rizayevich Mezhmedinov was born in 1965. He resided in the Chornomorsky District of Crimea. Before his detention, he had a Group II disability and required constant medical supervision.

In 2016, Mezhmedinov traveled several times from Crimea to mainland Ukraine. Russian investigators alleged that during one of these trips, he joined the Crimean Tatar volunteer battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan. He was accused of participating in the formation's activities and performing various tasks on its territory.

Nariman Mezhmedinov denied the charges. He refuted his involvement with the battalion and explained his trips to mainland Ukraine were for obtaining medication due to health issues, including asthma. He stated that his health condition and disability were inconsistent with the investigators' claims of active participation in the armed formation.

He was detained on February 3, 2020. The following day, the so-called Kyiv District Court of Simferopol ordered his pre-trial detention. The detention became publicly known two weeks later, on February 17.

On July 20, 2020, the so-called 'Chornomorsky District Court' found Mezhmedinov guilty and sentenced him to 8 years in a strict regime colony. On December 11, 2020, the so-called 'Supreme Court of Crimea' upheld the decision. During the appeal hearing, attendees were not allowed into the court building due to quarantine restrictions, and according to relatives, Mezhmedinov was not brought to court but participated via video conference.

As of September 7, 2026, Nariman Mezhmedinov remains in custody at FKU 'Pre-trial Detention Center-1 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol'. Human rights defenders emphasize his Group II disability and the need for constant medical supervision.

Information sourced from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, CrimeaSOS, Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights.

Photo: Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Update date: 07.09.2026.