Detention: On August 17, 2021, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted a series of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Simferopol and Bakhchisaray districts of Crimea, as well as in the Balaklava and Nakhimovsky districts of Sevastopol. Following the searches, five Crimean Tatars were detained, including Rustem Tairov. He was taken to the FSB office in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol.

Sentence: On May 31, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Rustem Tairov to 12 years in prison. The first 4 years were to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. After release, the court imposed 1 year of restricted freedom. Tairov was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.5 and Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. On November 20, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence.

Rustem Tairov was born on January 31, 1970. He is a Crimean Tatar, a citizen of Ukraine, and a resident of Sevastopol. He was divorced and has children. Before his arrest, he worked as a kitchen assistant.

Before his detention, Tairov was actively involved in the public life of the Crimean Tatar community. According to human rights defenders, he attended politically motivated court hearings, supported the families of Crimean political prisoners, and participated in public events and the organization of iftars.

On August 17, 2021, after a search of his home, Tairov was detained along with Raif Fevziev, Jebbar Bekirov, Rustem Murasov, and Zaur Abdullaev. Human rights defenders refer to this case as the 'second Sevastopol group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case.

Russian investigators accused Tairov of participating in the activities of the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami' organization and preparing for the violent seizure of power. The charges were based, among other things, on claims of participation in religious gatherings and discussions of political and religious issues.

The human rights organization CrimeaSOS, along with other Ukrainian human rights organizations, stated that the detention of Crimean Tatars in this case is politically motivated. Human rights defenders emphasized that 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' is not banned in Ukraine and most countries worldwide, whereas Russia prosecutes people for alleged involvement with this organization.

During the trial, Tairov's hearing problems worsened, and he developed otitis, but he did not receive proper treatment while in the prison hospital. Due to his hearing deterioration, microphones had to be used during court sessions. Relatives also attempted to provide him with a hearing aid.

On May 31, 2023, the court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Tairov to 12 years in prison.

After the sentencing, Tairov was held in the Russian penitentiary system. In March 2024, he was transferred to prison No. 2 in Vladimir, where he remained until the end of 2025.

In May 2025, while Tairov was in Vladimir prison, the occupation authorities revoked his citizenship of the Russian Federation. This was reported on January 25, 2026, by ZMINA, citing the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. At that time, Tairov was 55 years old.

At the end of 2025, Tairov was transferred from the Vladimir region to Udmurtia. On January 22, 2026, he was visited by a lawyer. At that time, the Crimean Tatar was in the quarantine facility of correctional colony No. 8 in the village of Khokhryaki, Zav’yalovsky district of the Udmurt Republic, approximately 2500 kilometers from occupied Crimea. According to the lawyer, upon arrival, Tairov underwent a medical examination and did not complain about the conditions of detention.

As of September 13, 2026, the last confirmed place of detention for Rustem Tairov is FKU 'IK No. 8 UFSIN of Russia for the Udmurt Republic' in the village of Khokhryaki, Zav’yalovsky district, Udmurtia.

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

Photo: ZMINA.

Date of update: 13.09.2026.