Detention: On January 23, 2015, FSB officers conducted searches in the homes of four Crimean Tatars in Sevastopol and detained Ruslan Zeytullaev, Nuri Primov, Ferat Saifullaev, and Rustem Vaitov. They were accused of participating in the activities of the Islamic political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is legal in Ukraine but banned in Russia. Human rights defenders emphasize that the case is politically motivated and was one of the first so-called 'Hizb ut-Tahrir cases' in Crimea.

Sentence: Initially, on September 7, 2016, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Ruslan Zeytullaev to 7 years in prison. After an appeal by the prosecution, the sentence was overturned, and during a new trial on July 27, 2017, the Supreme Court of Russia increased the sentence to 15 years in a high-security prison, recognizing him as an alleged 'organizer of terrorist organization activities.' During the trial, Ruslan did not plead guilty and repeatedly stated that he was being persecuted solely for his religious beliefs and Crimean Tatar origin. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial,' Ukrainian authorities, and international organizations recognized him as a political prisoner.

Ruslan Borisovich Zeytullaev was born on June 15, 1985, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. When Ruslan was nine years old, the family returned to Crimea from places of deportation, to the village of Orlyne near Sevastopol.

He was an excellent student in school but had to leave after the 7th grade. He started working early, taking on various jobs such as waiter, cook, and builder.

In 2008, Ruslan Zeytullaev got married. When he met his wife Meryem, they were already adhering to Islamic norms. They now have three children.

In January 2015, FSB officers burst into the Zeytullaevs' home, and after a search, Ruslan was detained, and a criminal case was initiated against him.

On September 7, 2016, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Zeytullaev to 7 years in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. He was accused of 'organizing the activities of a terrorist organization' (Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and 'preparation for violent seizure of power by an organized group by prior conspiracy' (Part 2 of Article 35, Part 1 of Article 30, and Article 278 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The prosecution disagreed with the ruling, and the case was sent for review.

On April 26, 2017, the same court issued a new guilty verdict for Zeytullaev and increased his sentence to 12 years in a high-security prison.

On July 27, 2017, the Supreme Court of Russia increased the sentence to 15 years.

The case of Ruslan Zeytullaev has been documented by the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Crimean Human Rights Group, the Human Rights Center ZMINA, the human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial,' CrimeaSOS, the Center for Civil Liberties, and international human rights organizations. All of them recognized him as a political prisoner and emphasized that the criminal prosecution was related to his religious beliefs and civic position.

As of July 12, 2026, Ruslan Zeytullaev continues to be unlawfully imprisoned in Russia. Ukrainian human rights organizations and his lawyers are seeking a review of the case, recognition of his status as a prisoner of war, and release in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Information used from open sources: Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Suspilne Crimea, Crimean Human Rights Group, Human Rights Center ZMINA, CrimeaSOS, Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial, Ukrainska Pravda.

Photo: Human Rights Center ZMINA.

Update date: 12.07.2026