Arrest: On June 10, 2019, Russian security forces detained Enver Omerov. At that time, he was traveling with his daughter Fatma Ismailova to Rostov-on-Don for a court hearing in the case of his son-in-law Rustem Ismailov, who had previously been convicted in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. A man in civilian clothes informed Omerov that he needed to go to the police department in Kerch. He was then detained. On the same day, the court decided on a preventive measure of detention. Omerov became a figure in the so-called Bilohirsk group in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. Along with him, his son Riza Omerov and Ayder Jepparov were also pursued. Later, Azamat Eyupov was added to the case.

Sentence: On January 12, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Enver Omerov to 18 years of imprisonment. The first two years were to be served in prison, with the remainder in a high-security penal colony. He was found guilty under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code — 'organizing the activities of a terrorist organization,' as well as under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code — allegedly preparing for the violent seizure of power.

On March 10, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. Human rights defenders note that there was no evidence of preparing a terrorist act, using weapons or explosives, or committing violent acts. The prosecution's materials largely related to religious and political discussions.

Enver Viktorovich Omerov was born on November 9, 1961, in Fergana, Uzbekistan. He is a Crimean Tatar, a citizen of Ukraine and Russia, and lived in Bilohirsk, Crimea. He holds a higher education degree in agronomy. In his youth, he practiced sambo and participated in sports competitions, where he won prizes.

After returning to Crimea, Omerov, along with his wife and two children, worked to support the family. According to CrimeaSOS, due to difficulties finding employment in his field, he worked as a taxi driver for a while and later moved into entrepreneurship. Together with his wife, he was involved in the sale of dairy products.

In Bilohirsk, Enver Omerov was known as an activist and public figure in the Crimean Tatar community. He assisted compatriots facing persecution by Russian security forces and organized religious holidays. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center describes him as an activist, public figure, and volunteer.

After the beginning of the Russian occupation of Crimea, Omerov supported Crimean Tatars who faced persecution and their families. About two years before his arrest, the family noticed signs of surveillance: a video camera was installed opposite their house. Despite this, Omerov continued his public activities.

On June 10, 2019, he was detained on his way to Rostov-on-Don, where he was to attend a court hearing in the case of his son-in-law Rustem Ismailov. On the same day, Russian security forces conducted investigative actions regarding his son Riza Omerov. Thus, one family found themselves under persecution in several criminal cases.

According to the Russian investigation, Enver Omerov allegedly created a Hizb ut-Tahrir cell in Bilohirsk no later than February 2017 and led it together with Ayder Jepparov. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' recognized Omerov as a political prisoner and points to the politically motivated nature of his persecution.

In June 2020, the substantive consideration of the case began. On January 12, 2021, the court sentenced Omerov to 18 years of imprisonment. After an appeal reviewed on March 10, 2022, the sentence was upheld.

In June 2022, Enver Omerov was transferred to Vladimir Central. In July 2024, he was moved to Correctional Colony No. 6 in Yoshkar-Ola, Republic of Mari El, approximately 2,000 kilometers from Crimea. ZMINA reported that during his long imprisonment, he required medical assistance and surgery, as well as dental treatment.

As of September 7, 2026, the current profile of the Human Rights Project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' indicates Enver Omerov's place of detention as FKU IK-6 UFSIN of Russia for the Republic of Mari El in Yoshkar-Ola. He remains deprived of liberty by the sentence of a Russian court.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, CrimeaSOS, Association of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners, Crimea.Realii.

Photo: ZMINA.

Date of update: 07.09.2026.