Political Prisoners

Seydametov Lenur

Arrest: On February 17, 2021, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bilohirsk, Bakhchisarai, Simferopol, Sevastopol, and the Soviet District in occupied Crimea. Among those detained was Crimean Tatar activist Lenur Seydametov. Along with him, Timur Yalkabov, Azamat Eyupov, Yashar Shikhametov, Ernes Ibragimov, and Oleg Fedorov were also detained. After the search, Seydametov was taken to the FSB office in occupied Crimea and later placed in a pre-trial detention centre. The Russian side charged him under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for allegedly participating in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist under Russian law, specifically Hizb ut-Tahrir. He was also accused of allegedly preparing to violently seize power under Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code. Sentence: On March 22, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Lenur Seydametov to 13 years of imprisonment in a strict regime colony, including 4 years in prison and 1 year of restricted freedom.

Pshenichnov Leonid

Detention: Russian security forces unlawfully detained Ukrainian marine biologist Leonid Pshenichnov in mid-September 2025 while he was in Kerch with his family. Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, there is no information about a sentence in open sources. The Russian Federation accuses Leonid Pshenichnov under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('treason'). Human rights defenders and Ukrainian state bodies consider the criminal prosecution politically motivated, linking it to his long-standing role as Ukraine's official representative in international Antarctic organizations.

Levchenko Iryna

Detention: On May 6, 2023, she was abducted along with her husband Oleksandr. Sentence: As of July 19, 2026, no sentence has been issued. Iryna Levchenko remains in custody. After prolonged detention without formal charges, the occupying authorities transferred her case to the so-called Zaporizhzhia Regional Court under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code ('espionage'). Human rights defenders consider the prosecution politically motivated and unlawful.

Levchenko Pavlo

Arrest: On October 23, 2023, Russian security forces detained Pavlo Levchenko in occupied Crimea. He was charged with 'state treason,' 'terrorist activities,' manufacturing explosive devices, and preparing sabotage on railway infrastructure. The Russian side alleged Levchenko collaborated with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and was involved in railway explosions in occupied Crimea. Sentence: On December 24, 2024, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Pavlo Levchenko to 22 years of imprisonment. The first five years are to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. The court also imposed a fine of 1 million rubles. According to Russian investigators, in April 2022, Pavlo Levchenko allegedly contacted a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. He was reportedly trained in making explosive devices, conspiracy, surveillance, and other skills termed as 'terrorist training' by the occupation authorities.

Tatarisova Liliya

Detention: Criminal proceedings against her began due to a social media post in 2014. Russian law enforcement classified the post as one that "incites hatred or enmity" based on nationality, initiating a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code ("incitement of hatred or enmity, as well as humiliation of human dignity"). According to the investigation, the basis for the prosecution was the reposting of material published after the start of the occupation of Crimea. During the trial, Tatarisova explained that she made the post during a period of intense emotional distress following the beginning of the Russian occupation of the peninsula. She stated she was in a state of stress, frightened by the presence of Russian military in Crimea, and concerned for her children's future. She reiterated these explanations during the appeal hearing. Sentence: On January 18, 2018, the Russian-controlled Krasnogvardeysky District Court found Liliya Tatarisova guilty under Part 1 of Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code and sentenced her to 2 years of suspended imprisonment with a probation period of 2 years. Additionally, the court prohibited her from engaging in activities related to the administration of websites and Internet pages for two years. The prosecution appealed the sentence, considering it too lenient. On March 22, 2018, the Russian-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea upheld the appeal and amended the sentence: Liliya Tatarisova was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months of suspended imprisonment with a probation period of 10 months. The court maintained the ban on activities related to posting materials on the Internet.

Lizun Valeriy

Detention: In October 2023, Valeriy Lizun from Yalta was detained by FSB officers of the Russian Federation. He was accused of allegedly collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence services. According to the Russian investigation, Lizun, along with Dmytro Pastashchuk, allegedly transmitted information to representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Sentence: In July 2024, Valeriy Lizun was sentenced to five years in a penal colony for allegedly transmitting data "about the situation on the peninsula" via messenger. Experts state that the charges lack sufficient evidence for such a severe sentence. Human rights defenders believe that the Russian authorities use such cases to create a perception of a constant "sabotage threat" in the occupied territories. These processes are accompanied by an active information campaign by Russian state media, which showcase detentions and disseminate the investigation's version even before the trial begins. As a result, the presumption of innocence effectively disappears, and the accused face significant social and political pressure.

Lozovskyi Serhii

Detention: Serhii Lozovskyi, a resident of occupied Crimea, was reportedly detained by FSB officers in 2024 for alleged 'confidential cooperation with a foreign state'. Later, Russian authorities reclassified the charges to the more severe 'state treason'. Sentence: In March 2026, a Russian-controlled court in occupied Crimea sentenced Serhii Lozovskyi to 18 years in a high-security colony, followed by 1 year and 9 months of restricted freedom. The charge was 'state treason'.

Lumanov Memet

Detention: On March 5, 2024, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisaray and Dzhankoy districts. Around 4:30 a.m., they broke into the Lumanov household. Sentence: As of July 19, 2026, no verdict has been issued for Memet. Memet Lumanov is held in pre-trial detention centre No. 1 in Rostov-on-Don. The Russian Federation accuses him under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('Organization of activities of a terrorist organization'), alleging involvement with the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is legal in Ukraine but banned in Russia. Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated.

Lykhomanov Serhiy

Arrest: On December 27, 2023, FSB officers conducted searches in occupied Sevastopol at the homes of former Ukrainian military personnel Serhiy Lykhomanov and Ruslan Chornyi-Shvets. After the search, Serhiy Lykhomanov was taken to an unknown location, and for nearly a month, his family was not informed of his whereabouts. It was later revealed that he was held in Sevastopol's pre-trial detention centre and then transferred to Simferopol. Sentence: On May 15, 2024, the Russia-controlled Gagarinsky District Court of Sevastopol sentenced Serhiy Lykhomanov to 5 years in a strict-regime colony and a fine of 50,000 rubles for allegedly illegal possession of explosives. Later, a new case was opened against him on charges of 'state treason' and 'preparation of a terrorist act'. On October 8, 2025, a Russian court issued a second sentence, assigning Serhiy Lykhomanov 15 years of imprisonment in a strict-regime colony and a fine of 50,000 rubles.

Malakhova Nina

Detention: On February 15, 2021, FSB officers detained Nina (Latifa) Malakhova on suspicion of 'facilitating terrorist activities.' After a search, she was taken into custody and placed in a pre-trial detention centre. Russian investigators claimed that from 2015 to 2018, she allegedly collected charitable donations that were later used by individuals associated with the organization 'Islamic State.' The defense and human rights advocates insisted that the funds were intended to help families in difficult circumstances, and no evidence of intentional financing of terrorist activities was presented. Sentence: On July 7, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Nina (Latifa) Malakhova guilty under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ('facilitating terrorist activities') and sentenced her to 4 years and 6 months...

Maliar Valentyn

Detention: On the night of March 21-22, 2025, Russian security forces conducted a series of simultaneous searches in Yevpatoria at several addresses. During this operation, four members of one family were detained: Tetiana Maliar, her brother Valentyn Maliar, Tetiana's son Anatolii Rossikhin, and daughter Olha Behei. Sentence: As of July 19, 2026, no sentence is available in open sources. Valentyn Maliar remains in custody. The Russian Federation accuses him under Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('state treason'). Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated.

Malick Leonid

Detention: In May 2024, Leonid Malick disappeared. For several days, his family was unaware of his whereabouts. Sentence: As of July 19, 2026, there is no final verdict. The Russian Federation accuses Leonid Malick of 'treason' and 'illegal trafficking of radioactive substances.' Human rights advocates consider the persecution politically motivated and emphasize that the charges are based on fabricated grounds.