Detention: On October 11, 2017, in occupied Bakhchisarai, Russian security forces detained Crimean Tatar activist and citizen journalist Seiran Saliev. Along with him, five other Crimean Tatars—Timur Ibragimov, Marlen Asanov, Memet Belyalov, Server Zekiryaev, and Ernes Ametov—were detained as part of the so-called 'second Bakhchisarai Hizb ut-Tahrir case'. Prior to this, Saliev had been under pressure from the occupying security forces. On January 26, 2017, his home was searched for the first time, followed by another search later. Earlier, in 2016, he was fined for participating in a public action that the occupying forces classified as an unauthorized rally.

The Russian side accused Saliev under articles related to alleged participation in the activities of a 'terrorist organization', preparation for violent seizure of power, and public calls for terrorist activities, referring to his alleged involvement in 'Hizb ut-Tahrir'. Ukrainian and international human rights defenders consider this politically motivated persecution for his religious beliefs and civic activism.

Sentence: On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Seiran Saliev to 16 years in a strict regime colony. He was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.5, Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278, and Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

On March 14, 2021, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha partially granted the defense's appeal and reduced Saliev's sentence by one year—to 15 years of imprisonment. One of the charges was dropped.

Seiran Alimovich Saliev was born on November 4, 1985, in Abinsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. In 1992, he moved with his family to Crimea, settling in the village of Kholmivka, Bakhchisarai district.

After finishing school in 2003, Saliev entered the Simferopol Higher College to study as a 'PC operator'. He later pursued education in 'Turkish and Crimean Tatar philology'.

In 2007, Seiran Saliev married and moved to Bakhchisarai. Together with his wife Mumine, he raised four children. During the summer, he worked as a tour guide, conducting tours of Bakhchisarai, teaching children about Crimean history, and instructing them in the Arabic language.

Saliev was actively involved in sports, particularly the Crimean Tatar national wrestling kurash. He served as a judge at festive kurash tournaments. He also organized Muslim holidays and helped raise funds for seriously ill children and low-income families.

After the occupation of Crimea, Saliev began documenting and reporting on the persecution of Crimean Tatars. As a citizen journalist, he attended court sessions in cases involving Crimean Tatars, reported on searches and arrests, and called for support for the families of those persecuted.

His citizen journalism and active support for persecuted Crimean Tatars became part of the context of his persecution. The Russian authorities linked his activities to 'Hizb ut-Tahrir', although human rights organizations emphasize that in occupied Crimea, Russian anti-terrorism laws are used to persecute Muslims for peaceful religious and civic activities.

After his detention on October 11, 2017, Saliev spent about three years in a pre-trial detention center until his sentencing. His trial lasted over 45 sessions. On September 16, 2020, he was sentenced to 16 years in a strict regime colony, and in March 2021, the term was reduced to 15 years.

After being transferred to Russia, Saliev served his sentence in facilities in the Tula region. In the colony, he was repeatedly placed in a punitive isolation cell. According to ZMINA, since November 2024, after being transferred to strict conditions, he has been almost continuously held in isolation. Reports also indicated a deterioration in his health, including vision problems and a lack of fresh air and sunlight.

In 2026, pressure on Saliev continued. After being transferred to Correctional Colony No. 1 in the Tula region, the administration confiscated his Quran. According to his wife, the book was not returned despite having the appropriate stamp and signature of the imam of the Tula region. The family also reported systematic placement of Saliev in isolation.

On March 30, 2026, ZMINA reported that Seiran Saliev was transferred from Correctional Colony No. 4 in Plavsk to Correctional Colony No. 1 in the Tula region of the Russian Federation. According to his wife, Correctional Colony No. 1 functions as a so-called 'red zone', where inmates may be exposed to toxic fumes due to sewage issues.

As of September 9, 2026, Seiran Saliev continues to serve his unlawful sentence in Correctional Colony No. 1 in the Tula region of the Russian Federation. In March 2026, human rights defenders also reported identifying 26 individuals involved in his persecution in occupied Crimea.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, CrimeaSOS, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne Crimea, Ukrainska Pravda, Union of Relatives of Kremlin Political Prisoners.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: 09.09.2026.