Arrest: On May 21, 2018, Server Mustafayev, a Crimean Tatar human rights defender, civic journalist, and coordinator of the public association 'Crimean Solidarity,' was detained by Russian security forces following a search of his home in Bakhchisaray, on the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The search began early in the morning and lasted about three hours. During this time, security forces seized documents and electronic devices, and Server Mustafayev was detained after the search concluded. The Russian side accused him of alleged involvement in the activities of 'Hizb ut-Tahrir,' an organization recognized as terrorist in Russia. Human rights defenders consider the persecution of Server Mustafayev to be politically motivated.

Sentence: On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Server Mustafayev to 14 years in a high-security penal colony. He was found guilty under Russian criminal law articles related to alleged participation in a terrorist organization and preparation for the violent seizure of power. On March 14, 2021, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. In December 2025, the Russian cassation court also rejected the appeal and upheld the sentence. During the cassation hearing, the court interrupted Server Mustafayev's speech, despite his attempts to highlight violations in his case.

Server Rustemovich Mustafayev was born on May 5, 1986, in Uzbekistan, in the places of deportation of the Crimean Tatars. His family later returned to their historical homeland in Bakhchisaray, now located on the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The history of his family and the Crimean Tatar people was important to him from childhood. During his school years, Server was interested in the history of his people and prepared a self-published brochure on this topic.

After graduating from school in 2002, Server entered the Bakhchisaray Construction College at the National Agrarian University. In 2006, he graduated with honors, specializing in the operation of equipment and gas supply systems. He later studied at the Kyiv National University in the field of 'Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation,' where he obtained a master's degree. Over the years, he worked in sales and communications and engaged in entrepreneurial activities.

After the beginning of the Russian occupation of Crimea, Server Mustafayev actively participated in helping Crimean Tatar families who faced persecution. He was one of the founders and coordinators of the public association 'Crimean Solidarity'—an initiative that united relatives of political prisoners, lawyers, activists, and civic journalists. Its participants assisted the families of illegally imprisoned individuals, monitored court proceedings, collected information on searches and detentions, and drew public attention to human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Server Mustafayev engaged in civic journalism: covering court hearings, searches, detentions of Crimean Tatars, and other cases of persecution on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. He coordinated the activities of 'Crimean Solidarity,' conducted live broadcasts, and sought to convey information about the repressions to a wide audience. His public activities were one of the reasons he came under constant pressure from Russian occupation forces.

Before his arrest, Server was also involved in community work in Bakhchisaray. He organized children's events and community activities, helped low-income families, and supported people in difficult life situations. He was characterized as an active, caring, and communicative person who tried to help others.

Server Mustafayev is also a writer. His literary activity began before his imprisonment, and during his time behind bars, his writings gained special significance. In 2019 and 2020, he received a special award in the 'Crimean Fig / Qırım inciri' literary competition 'Words of Freedom.' His poetry in the Crimean Tatar language and prose work reached the finals of the competition.

While in detention, Server continued to write letters and appeals. In his texts, he reflects on freedom, justice, the history of the Crimean Tatar people, and the necessity of speaking out against injustice. His letters were published by human rights organizations and media, ensuring his voice continues to be heard despite his imprisonment.

Russian persecution of Server Mustafayev did not cease after the sentence was passed. In the Russian colony, he repeatedly faced pressure and issues with medical care. According to ZMINA, in 2023, he was placed in a punishment cell, and in February 2024, he was transferred to a cell-type facility. In March 2025, he was again placed in a punishment cell for three days, after which he was transferred to a cell-type facility for two months. There were also reports of his deteriorating health and problems with receiving proper medical care.

Server Mustafayev is married and, together with his wife Maye, raises four children. For his family, the imprisonment has been a severe ordeal, but his loved ones continue to support him and draw attention to his case. Server remains one of the prominent figures in the Crimean Tatar human rights movement and civic journalism.

The story of Server Mustafayev is an example of peaceful resistance to Russian occupation and the persecution of the Crimean Tatar people. He assisted political prisoners and their families, documented human rights violations, and publicly spoke about events in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. His case became part of the widespread persecution of Crimean Tatar civic journalists and human rights defenders. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations consider him a political prisoner and demand his release.

Photo: Crimean Solidarity.

Information used from open sources: Human Rights Center ZMINA; Ukrainian PEN; Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; National Union of Journalists of Ukraine; Human Rights House Crimea; Crimean Solidarity; Ukrainska Pravda; United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Date of update: 08.08.2026.