Detention: On February 11, 2016, FSB officers conducted a series of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisarai. Following the searches, Mamed Mustafaev was detained along with other individuals involved in the so-called 'Bakhchisarai Hizb ut-Tahrir case.'

Sentence: On December 24, 2018, the North Caucasus District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced Mamed Mustafaev to 13 years in a high-security penal colony under charges of participation in a terrorist organization (Part 2, Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code). Human rights organizations consider the case politically motivated and linked to the systemic persecution of Crimean Tatars.

Mamed Mustafaev is a Crimean Tatar and resident of Bakhchisarai. Before his detention, he lived in Crimea with his family. There is no detailed information available in open sources about his education, professional activities, or public engagement prior to arrest. Therefore, human rights organizations focus primarily on the facts of his criminal prosecution.

On February 11, 2016, FSB officers conducted a series of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisarai. Following the searches, Mamed Mustafaev was detained along with other individuals involved in the so-called 'Bakhchisarai Hizb ut-Tahrir case.' Russian authorities accused him of participating in the Islamic organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir,' which is legal in Ukraine but recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia.

After his detention, Mamed Mustafaev was placed in a pre-trial detention centre. As in other similar cases involving Crimean Tatars, the charges were primarily based on linguistic and religious expert assessments, as well as testimonies from anonymous witnesses. Ukrainian and international human rights advocates have repeatedly stated that such evidence does not meet the standards of a fair trial.

On December 24, 2018, a Russian court in Rostov-on-Don found Mamed Mustafaev guilty and sentenced him to 13 years in a high-security penal colony. Human rights organizations emphasized that the verdict was issued with numerous violations of the right to a fair trial, and the case is part of a campaign of persecution against Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea.

As of July 19, 2026, Mamed Mustafaev continues to serve the unlawfully imposed sentence in the Russian Federation. There is no information in verified open sources about his release or a review of the sentence. His case remains an example of politically motivated persecution of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea.

Information used from open sources: Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Crimean Solidarity, Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Update date: 19.07.2026