Arrest: On March 11, 2020, in occupied Bakhchisarai, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars. Among those detained was Crimean Tatar community activist Rustem Seitmemetov. His nephews, Seitumer and Osman Seitumerov, were also detained. Another individual, Amet Suleymanov, was detained that day, while Enver Mustafaev was released as a witness after interrogation. Following the search, Rustem Seitmemetov was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged participation in a 'terrorist organization.' The case materials also included charges under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged preparation for violent seizure of power. Human rights defenders consider the persecution politically motivated.

Sentence: On October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Rustem Seitmemetov to 13 years of imprisonment. The first 3 years and 6 months were to be served in prison, followed by the remainder in a strict regime colony.

On September 20, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dismissed the defense's cassation appeal and upheld the sentence against Rustem Seitmemetov and other defendants of the third Bakhchisarai group.

Rustem Abduramanovich Seitmemetov was born on March 28, 1973, in the village of Charkhin, Pastdargom District, Samarkand Region, Uzbek SSR. He is a Crimean Tatar, married, and has three children. He received a pedagogical education.

After his studies, Rustem Seitmemetov worked as a school teacher for about two years. Later, he moved to Portugal, where he worked at Sanitana, a company specializing in the production of ceramic sinks.

In 2006, Seitmemetov moved to Crimea and resided permanently on the peninsula. Upon his return, he worked in construction. According to the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, he was known as a reliable and responsible person.

Rustem Seitmemetov actively supported his family and was involved in community activities. He was engaged in the life of the Crimean Tatar community, supported compatriots, and helped people in difficult circumstances.

After the beginning of the Russian occupation of Crimea, he, like many other Crimean Tatars, faced increased pressure from Russian security forces. Following the start of systematic persecution of Crimean Muslims in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' cases, Russian security forces began conducting mass searches and detentions.

On March 11, 2020, a search was conducted at Seitmemetov's home in Bakhchisarai. According to human rights defenders, during the search, security forces seized religious literature, which relatives and the defense considered planted to create evidence. After the search, Seitmemetov was detained and taken into custody.

Together with him, his nephews Seitumer and Osman Seitumerov were also persecuted. Their case was combined by Russian authorities into the so-called third Bakhchisarai group of the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. The prosecution claimed the men participated in activities of an organization recognized as terrorist by Russia.

Meanwhile, the defense emphasized that the case materials lacked evidence of weapons, explosives, or preparation for a terrorist act. The charges were largely based on the testimony of anonymous witnesses.

In 2020, Seitmemetov was also sent for a psychiatric examination. His lawyer considered this decision unfounded and insisted there were no grounds for forced placement in a psychiatric hospital.

After a prolonged detention, on October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don delivered a verdict. Rustem Seitmemetov was sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment. Along with him, Seitumer Seitumerov received 17 years, Osman Seitumerov 14 years, and Amet Suleymanov 12 years.

During his imprisonment in Russia, Seitmemetov's health gradually deteriorated. As early as 2022, Ukrainian diplomats reported vision problems and the need for a medical examination.

In 2023, he complained of worsening vision, blood pressure fluctuations, and leg swelling. Due to his health condition, he constantly required medication. On May 15, 2024, Seitmemetov fell ill after being transferred to a cold cell. He lost consciousness. Initially, doctors suspected blood sugar issues, but later diagnosed a myocardial infarction. He was hospitalized in a cardiology center and underwent a stent placement surgery.

In 2024, he was also diagnosed with cataracts and assigned a Group III disability. Later, dental problems worsened, and skin itching appeared.

After the surgery, Seitmemetov continued to serve his sentence. According to CrimeaSOS, in May 2023, he was unlawfully transferred from the Novocherkassk pre-trial detention center to a prison in Dimitrovgrad, Ulyanovsk Region. The transfer of Crimean political prisoners from occupied Crimea to remote regions of Russia is seen by human rights defenders as a separate issue, particularly due to complications in maintaining contact with families.

In 2025, Rustem Seitmemetov was held in Correctional Colony No. 16 in Salavat, Republic of Bashkortostan. In November, he was taken from the colony to a medical facility for a scheduled examination due to deteriorating health.

In July 2026, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center reported that Seitmemetov continued to be held in IK No. 16 in Salavat. According to his family, after the heart attack and surgery, he continued to suffer from heart pain, blood pressure fluctuations, back problems, and worsening vision.

As of September 9, 2026, Rustem Seitmemetov continues to unlawfully serve a 13-year sentence in Correctional Colony No. 16 in Salavat, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center classifies him as a Crimean political prisoner with a Group III disability and emphasizes the threat to his health due to inadequate detention conditions and medical care.

Information used from open sources: ZMINA, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, CrimeaSOS, Suspilne Crimea, Ukrainian Pravda, Krym.Realii, CrimeaSOS, Ukrinform.

Photo: UKRinform.

Last updated: 09.09.2026.