Detention: On August 24, 2023, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars and detained six activists of 'Crimean Solidarity,' including Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov. On the morning of August 24, 2023, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in Bakhchisaray and the Bakhchisaray district. After the search, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov was detained and taken to Simferopol. The next day, the Russia-controlled Kyiv District Court of Simferopol ordered his detention. Along with him, five other Crimean Tatar activists were detained.

Sentence: As of July 22, 2026, there is no information about the sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in the activities of a terrorist organization') as part of the so-called fifth Bakhchisaray case 'Hizb ut-Tahrir'. Human rights defenders consider the persecution politically motivated and link it to a systematic campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars.

Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov was born on August 27, 1999, in Bakhchisaray. He is a historian by education. Before his arrest, he lived in his hometown and was married. He is the younger brother of Crimean political prisoners Seitumer and Osman Seitumerov, who were convicted by Russia in 2022 in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case.

Despite years of family persecution, Abdulmedzhit continued to support his brothers, attended court sessions, and helped the families of other political prisoners.

Russian investigators claim that Abdulmedzhit allegedly participated in the activities of the Islamic political party 'Hizb ut-Tahrir,' which the Russian Supreme Court declared a 'terrorist organization' in 2003. Meanwhile, this organization is not banned in Ukraine and most countries worldwide. Human rights organizations emphasize that in Crimean 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' cases, there is no evidence of preparation or commission of violent acts, and the accusations are mainly based on secret witnesses, expert opinions, and operational investigative materials.

After his arrest, Abdulmedzhit was placed in Simferopol's pre-trial detention centre No. 2. In September 2023, his family requested a visit from the FSB investigator, but received an official refusal. His parents and wife were unable to meet him, which is another example of restricting the right of political prisoners to communicate with their relatives.

In October 2023, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov was forcibly transferred to a psychiatric hospital for almost a month for an inpatient psychiatric examination. After the examination, he was returned to the detention centre. The lawyer reported that the political prisoner did not complain about the medical staff but noted inadequate living conditions in the ward, which lacked water supply and sanitary facilities.

In 2025–2026, the so-called fifth Bakhchisaray case was under consideration at the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. During the trial, the prosecution completed presenting evidence, and the court questioned defense witnesses who spoke positively about Abdulmedzhit and other defendants. Human rights defenders emphasize that the trial is taking place with numerous violations of the right to a fair trial.

In 2026, his wife Amina reported a significant deterioration in Abdulmedzhit's health. After undergoing surgery, he requires regular medical supervision, suffers from knee pain, dental problems, rashes, and fainting spells. Despite this, he does not receive adequate medical care in Russian detention. He also sent a letter of support from the colony to the seriously ill Crimean political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziev, expressing solidarity with fellow prisoners.

As of July 22, 2026, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov remains in custody. There is no information in open sources about a verdict. His case remains an example of politically motivated persecution of Crimean Tatars on the temporarily occupied peninsula.

Information used from open sources: Crimean Solidarity, Suspilne Crimea, Crimean Tatar Resource Center, ZMINA.

Photo: ZMINA.

Update date: July 22, 2026.