Political Prisoners

Abkerimov TestOnly

Detention: A criminal case was initiated against him for using violence against a government representative in connection with the events of May 3, 2014, when local residents blocked the road to meet the spiritual leader of the Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Dzhemilev. On that day, about five thousand Crimean Tatars approached the administrative border of Crimea, breaking through a line of OMON officers. Abkerimov is one of five Crimean Tatars charged in the 'May 3 case.' Sentence: On May 29, 2015, the Russia-controlled Armyansk City Court found Musa Abkerimov guilty of using violence against a government representative and sentenced him to 4 years and 4 months of suspended imprisonment with a three-year probation period. He faced up to 10 years of actual imprisonment. The court took into consideration mitigating circumstances...

Ablaev Baktiyar

Detention: Baktiyar Ablaev was detained on February 5, 2025, in occupied Crimea following a search of his home in the village of Kovylnoye, Dzhankoy district. On the same day, Russian security forces conducted searches at the homes of at least five Crimean Tatars—Emir Kurtnazirov, Rustem Mustafayev, Abibulla Smedlyaev, Mirzaali Tajibayev, and Baktiyar Ablaev. All five were detained after the searches. Sentence: On February 6, 2025, the Kyiv District Court of Simferopol, under Russian occupation control, ordered Baktiyar Ablaev to be held in custody until April 4, 2025. The court sessions were held in a closed format.

Ablyazov Nariman

Detention: On September 4, 2023, Russian security forces detained entrepreneur and public figure Nariman Ablyazov in the temporarily occupied Henichesk, Kherson region. According to the FSB of Russia, he was allegedly a member of the so-called 'Crimean Tatar Battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan' and participated in the civil blockade of Crimea in 2015. Ukrainian human rights defenders emphasized that the battalion does not actually exist as an illegal armed formation, and the case is another example of politically motivated persecution of Ukrainian citizens in occupied territories. Sentence: On August 6, 2024, he was sentenced under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('Participation on the territory of a foreign state in an armed formation not provided for by the legislation of this state, for purposes contrary to the interests of the Russian Federation') to 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment. The first year of the sentence is to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. After release, the court also imposed one year of restricted freedom. Human rights defenders consider this sentence illegal and contrary to international law.

Ablyazova Elvira

Detention: Elvira was detained on March 28, 2024, in the village of Edi-Kuyu (Lenino) in temporarily occupied Crimea. Sentence: Not issued. The case is under investigation. According to human rights defenders, Elvira Ablyazova is charged under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code — 'treason'.

Abseitov Zevri

Detention: On May 12, 2016, in Bakhchisarai, Autonomous Republic of Crimea (temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine). FSB officers conducted a series of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars and detained Zevri Abseitov along with Rustem Abiltarov, Remzi Memetov, and Enver Mamutov. All were accused of alleged involvement with the Islamic political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which Russia has designated as 'terrorist', although it is not banned in Ukraine. Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated. Sentence: On December 24, 2018, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don unlawfully sentenced Zevri Abseitov to 9 years in a high-security penal colony for 'participation in the activities of a terrorist organization' and 'preparation for violent seizure of power'.

Adilov Belyal

Detention: On March 27, 2019, Russian security forces conducted one of the largest waves of searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Kamyanka and Stroganovka neighborhoods near Simferopol. After the search, Belyal Adilov was detained along with more than twenty other Crimean Tatar activists. He was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in the activities of a terrorist organization') due to alleged involvement with the organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir', which operates legally in Ukraine but is banned in Russia. Ukrainian

Afanasyev Vladyslav

Detention: On October 11, 2024, FSB officers detained Vladyslav Oleksandrovych Afanasyev in Feodosia, temporarily occupied Crimea. According to Russian investigators, he allegedly photographed Russian Black Sea Fleet ships, recorded locations of military objects, and transmitted this data to the Ukrainian side. He was charged under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('state treason'). Ukrainian human rights organizations emphasized that the case is politically motivated and exemplifies the persecution of Crimean residents for pro-Ukrainian positions. Sentence: On December 6, 2024, the occupation Supreme Court of Crimea found Vladyslav Afanasyev guilty of 'state treason' and sentenced him to 15 years in a high-security colony. He was also given a year...

Agasaryan Artur

Arrest: On June 26, 2023, FSB officers detained Kerch resident Artur Agasaryan. According to the Russian investigation, he allegedly collaborated with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, collected information on the movement of Russian military equipment, and prepared to blow up an FSB officer's car. He was charged with treason, preparing a terrorist act, and illegal acquisition and manufacture of explosives. Artur denied the charges. Sentence: On September 18, 2024, he was convicted of crimes under Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Treason"), Part 1 of Article 205 ("Preparation for a Terrorist Act"), Part 1 of Article 30, Part 1 of Article 223.1 ("Illegal Manufacture of Explosives"), and Part 3 of Article 222.1 ("Illegal Acquisition, Transfer, Sale, Storage, Transportation, or Carrying of Explosives"). He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined 500,000 rubles.

Chiygoz Ahtem

Detention: On January 29, 2015, in Bakhchysarai, Ahtem Chiygoz was detained by occupying forces during a meeting in a cafe. The reason was his participation in a rally outside the Crimean Supreme Council on February 26, 2014, a day before the illegal 'referendum'. On that day, Crimean Tatars and pro-Ukrainian residents gathered outside the parliament to prevent the decision to join Russia. Chiygoz attempted to assist the police in keeping the two crowds apart. He was later charged with 'organizing mass disturbances' (part 1, Article 212 of the Russian Criminal Code). Sentence: On September 11, 2017, the Russia-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea sentenced Ahtem Chiygoz to 8 years in a strict regime colony. As the verdict was read, he applauded because the court recognized him as a 'citizen of Ukraine' in the introductory part: 'I have already won,' Chiygoz said. On October 25, 2017, through the mediation of Turkish President Erdogan, Chiygoz, along with Ilmi Umerov, was transferred to Turkey and released. They returned to Ukraine on October 27. Neither Chiygoz nor Umerov signed any clemency requests to Putin.

Aivazov Raim

Detention: On April 17, 2019, Crimean Tatar activist Raim Aivazov was detained by FSB officers while crossing the administrative border between occupied Crimea and mainland Ukraine at the Kalanchak checkpoint. For about twelve hours, his family did not know his whereabouts. Only in the evening was Aivazov able to inform his family that he had been taken to the FSB office in Simferopol. He was charged under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of the activities of a terrorist organization') in the case of the second Simferopol group 'Hizb ut-Tahrir'. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations stated that the case was politically motivated, and that Aivazov was subjected to torture and psychological pressure after his detention. Sentence: On March 10, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in...

Akhtemov Asan

Detention: On the night of September 3-4, 2021, officers of the Russian FSB conducted a search at the house of Crimean Tatar activist and citizen journalist Asan Islyamovich Akhtemov in the village of Levadki near Simferopol. After the search, he was taken to an unknown location, and his relatives did not know his whereabouts for almost ten days. An independent lawyer was not allowed to see him. Later, Asan stated that during the first days after his detention, he was beaten, tortured with electric shocks, taken to the forest, threatened with execution, and forced to sign FSB-prepared 'confessions'. Along with him, his cousin Aziz Akhtemov and the first deputy head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Nariman Dzhelyalov were detained. All three were accused of allegedly sabotaging a gas pipeline in the village of Perevalne. Ukrainian and international human rights defenders stated that the case was politically motivated and fabricated. Sentence: On September 21, 2022, the occupying Supreme Court of Crimea found Asan Akhtemov guilty of sabotage, smuggling, and illegal storage of explosives, sentencing him to 15 years in prison, a fine of 500,000 rubles, and one year of restricted freedom after release. Subsequently, the appellate court increased the sentence, determining that the first three years of the punishment should be served in prison, not immediately in a strict regime colony. Human rights defenders emphasized that the sentence was based on testimonies obtained under torture and did not meet the standards of fair trial.

Akhtemov Aziz

Detention: On September 3, 2021, FSB officers conducted searches in the homes of Crimean Tatar activists in Crimea. After the search, Aziz Refatovich Akhtemov was detained. Along with him, his brother Asan Akhtemov, the first deputy head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelyalov, and several other Crimean Tatars were detained. Russian authorities accused them of alleged involvement in the explosion of a gas pipeline in the village of Perevalne on August 23, 2021. After his detention, Aziz was held for several days without access to an independent lawyer. He later stated in court that his initial 'confessions' were made under physical and psychological pressure by FSB officers. According to him, he was beaten, threatened, and forced to memorize a prepared text. Sentence: On September 21, 2022, the occupation Supreme Court of Crimea found Aziz Akhtemov guilty of sabotage, illegal storage, and smuggling of explosives, sentencing him to 13 years in a high-security penal colony, a fine of 500,000 rubles, and one year of restricted freedom after release. On May 31, 2023, the appellate military court upheld the sentence. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations stated that the case is politically motivated and linked to the persecution of Crimean Tatar activists following the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and the Crimean Platform summit.