Detention: Shaban Umerov was detained on March 27, 2019, following mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Kamyanka and Stroganovka neighborhoods of Simferopol. On that day, Russian security forces conducted a large-scale operation against Crimean Tatar activists, detaining over 20 people. Umerov was placed in custody as part of the so-called 'second Simferopol group' in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case.

Sentence: On March 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Shaban Umerov to 18 years of imprisonment. The first 5 years were to be served in prison, with the remainder in a high-security penal colony. After release, the court imposed 1 year and 6 months of restricted freedom. He was found guilty under Part 1 of Article 205.5 and Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code.

On March 28, 2023, the Military Appeals Court upheld the sentence. In October 2024, the Southern District Military Court separately confirmed that the prison administration had misinterpreted the sentence regarding Umerov's time in prison: taking into account the time already served, he was to spend no more than one year there.

Shaban Izetovich Umerov was born on October 22, 1969, in Angren, Tashkent Region, Uzbek SSR. He is a Crimean Tatar and a citizen of Ukraine. The family had three sons, with Shaban being the youngest.

After eight years of school, he attended a vocational school, where he trained as an electric welder. In his youth, Umerov was interested in sports, played basketball professionally, participated in competitions in various cities, and planned to become a coach.

In 1990, Shaban Umerov moved to Crimea. There he worked as an electric welder and builder. Two years later, he married. Together with his wife Zarema, he raised three children. At the time of his imprisonment, he had five grandchildren.

After the Russian occupation of Crimea began, Umerov assisted persecuted Crimean Tatars. He attended court hearings in politically motivated cases and delivered food and necessities to political prisoners. He also helped organize children's events for the families of Crimean political prisoners.

About two weeks before his arrest, Umerov noticed unfamiliar people and cars near his house, which he said were surveilling him.

On March 27, 2019, a search was conducted at his home. On the same day, searches took place in dozens of Crimean Tatar homes in Simferopol. Umerov was detained and placed in custody. He was accused of organizing the activities of Hizb ut-Tahrir and preparing for the violent seizure of power.

Shaban Umerov's case was considered alongside other defendants of the so-called 'second Simferopol group': Remzi Bekirov, Riza Izetov, Farhod Bazarov, and Raim Aivazov. Human rights defenders emphasized that the accused were not charged with preparing a specific terrorist act, possessing weapons, or explosives.

In 2020, while in the pre-trial detention center, Shaban Umerov's health deteriorated. He complained of back pain, heart problems, and high blood pressure.

On March 10, 2022, a Russian court sentenced him to 18 years in prison. Human rights organizations consider the persecution of Crimean Tatars in the Hizb ut-Tahrir cases to be politically motivated. ZMINA noted that the case materials did not contain evidence of preparing specific terrorist acts or calls for their execution.

In 2023, Umerov was transferred from Crimea to Russia to serve his sentence. Later, he was moved to Prison No. 1 in Verkhneuralsk, Chelyabinsk Region. In October 2024, the court confirmed that the administration of this facility had misinterpreted the sentence regarding his prison term.

In 2025, Umerov reported worsening health, including headaches and issues related to detention conditions.
In March 2026, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center reported that Shaban Umerov was in Correctional Colony No. 17 in Murmansk and required urgent dental treatment. According to his wife, after years of imprisonment, he had approximately five teeth left on both the upper and lower jaws, making it difficult for him to chew food properly. He also complained of high blood pressure and severe headaches.

As of September 13, 2026, the last confirmed place of detention for Shaban Umerov is IK-17 UFSiN of Russia in Murmansk Region, Murmansk city. The human rights project 'Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial' recognizes him as a political prisoner.

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

Photo: CrimeaSOS.

Date updated:13.09.2026.