Detention: On August 24, 2023, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Bakhchisaray district. Following the search, Remzi Nimetulaev was detained along with other activists. The Russian Federation charges Remzi Nimetulaev under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of the activities of a terrorist organization'), linking the case to alleged involvement in the Islamic political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Sentence: On October 21, 2026, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued guilty verdicts to six Crimean Tatars, members of the so-called 'fifth Bakhchisaray group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir case.' The men were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 15 to 19 years in strict regime colonies. Remzi was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations consider the case politically motivated and emphasize that the persecution is part of a systemic campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars.

Remzi Nimetulaev was born on October 14, 1985. He is a Crimean Tatar, residing in Bakhchisaray. By profession, he is a builder. He is married to Esma Nimetulaeva, and together they raised five daughters. After the start of the Russian occupation of Crimea, Remzi joined the civic movement supporting political prisoners and assisting the families of unlawfully imprisoned Crimean Tatars.

Even before the criminal case was opened, Remzi faced persecution by the occupying authorities multiple times. In November 2021, he was detained near the temporary detention facility in Simferopol, where he had come to meet lawyer Edem Semedlyaev after his administrative arrest. The occupying court then sentenced Remzi to ten days of administrative arrest.

On August 24, 2023, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Bakhchisaray district. Following the search, Remzi Nimetulaev was detained along with other activists. Russian security forces accused him of 'organizing the activities of a terrorist organization,' referring to Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is legal in Ukraine but banned in Russia. Human rights defenders emphasize that in similar cases, accusations are primarily based on the testimonies of secret witnesses, religious studies examinations, and other evidence that do not meet international standards of fair trial.

After the arrest, Remzi was placed in a pre-trial detention center. He was later transferred to Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. While in custody, he complained of heart pain and was subjected to a compulsory forensic psychiatric examination, raising concerns among human rights defenders. The court repeatedly extended his detention period.

In October 2025, Russian security forces also detained Remzi's wife, Esma Nimetulaeva. She became involved in another politically motivated case. After the arrest of both parents, their five minor daughters were left without parental care. Esma's brother took custody of the children. The Nimetulaev family's story became one of the most well-known examples of how Russia's political repressions are destroying Crimean Tatar families.

Ukrainian human rights organizations emphasize that Remzi Nimetulaev's case is part of a large-scale campaign of persecution against activists.

On October 21, 2026, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued guilty verdicts to six Crimean Tatars, members of the so-called 'fifth Bakhchisaray group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir case.' Remzi was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Information used from open sources: Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne Crimea, Office of the Ukrainian Ombudsman, Crimea Realities, Crimean Tatar Resource Center.

Photo: Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Office of the Ukrainian Ombudsman.

Update date: 03.11.2026.