Detention: On the night of August 6-7, 2016, FSB officers detained Zakhtei. After his arrest, he was held for several days without access to an independent lawyer. He later stated that FSB officers tortured him: they beat him severely, kept him handcuffed for extended periods, subjected him to electric shocks, threatened his family, and forced him to record a 'confession' for Russian television. Under torture, he gave testimony, which he later retracted.

Russian investigators accused Zakhtei of preparing sabotage, illegal acquisition and storage of weapons and explosives, using forged documents, and illegally obtaining a Russian passport. In 2017, he entered a pre-trial agreement with the investigation. According to his lawyers, this was a forced step after nearly a year in custody and torture. However, Zakhtei refused to testify against another defendant in the case, Yevhen Panov, stating that he was not acquainted with him before the arrest.

Sentence: On February 16, 2018, the Russian-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea found Andrii Zakhtei guilty and sentenced him to 6 years and 6 months in a strict regime colony and a fine of 220,000 rubles.

Andrii Zakhtei is a Ukrainian citizen, born in Boryslav, Lviv region. Before his arrest, he lived in the city of Saky in occupied Crimea with his wife and daughter, working in private transportation. In August 2016, he became one of the defendants in the FSB's fabricated 'Ukrainian saboteurs case,' in which Russia claimed that Ukrainian special services were allegedly preparing sabotage in Crimea. Ukraine and international human rights organizations called this case politically motivated and fabricated.

He served his sentence in Correctional Colony No. 1 in Simferopol. During his imprisonment, his health significantly deteriorated. According to his wife and Zakhtei himself, the consequences of torture and inadequate medical care led to the development of several chronic diseases. After his release, he reported that during nearly seven years of imprisonment, he developed three chronic illnesses, underwent two surgeries, his vision significantly worsened, and due to electric shock torture, his teeth developed microcracks. He also mentioned that in Russian colonies, prisoners had to purchase even anesthesia for dental treatment themselves, and medical care was virtually inaccessible.

On February 20, 2023, Andrii Zakhtei fully served his sentence. However, immediately after his release, he was not freed but placed in the Center for Temporary Detention of Foreign Citizens in the Rostov region. Only in June 2023 was he able to leave through Latvia and return to Ukraine. After returning, he underwent extensive treatment and rehabilitation and began publicly speaking about torture, detention conditions, and systemic violations of the rights of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russian places of detention.

Andrii Zakhtei is married. His wife, Oksana Zakhtei, actively fought for his release throughout his imprisonment, informing human rights defenders and the media about his health and detention conditions. The couple has a daughter. Zakhtei has repeatedly stated that his family's support helped him endure the years of unlawful imprisonment.

Information used from open sources: CrimeaSOS, ZMINA, Suspilne Crimea, Wikipedia, Radio Liberty / Crimea. Realities.

Photo: ZMINA.

Date updated: 09.07.2026.