Political Prisoners

Abdurazakov Osman

Detention: On January 24, 2023, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Dzhankoy district of temporarily occupied Crimea. After the search, Osman Abdurazakov was detained along with five other Crimean Tatar activists — Ekrem Krosh, Jemil Gafarov, Osman Dzhelalov, Enver Krosh, and Khalil Mambetov. He is accused of crimes under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('Participation in the activities of a terrorist organization').

Abiltarov Rustem

Detention: On May 12, 2016, a search was conducted at Rustem Abiltarov's home in Bakhchisarai, after which he was arrested along with three other Crimean Tatars – Remzi Memetov, Zevri Abseitov, and Enver Mamutov. All four were charged with involvement in the Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir: according to the investigation, they allegedly studied relevant literature, agitated the population, and recruited new members. Additionally, they were accused of 'preparing for a violent seizure of power by an organized group' – part 2 of article 35, part 1 of article 30, and article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code. Sentence: On December 24, 2018, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Rustem Abiltarov to 9 years in prison. On July 11, 2019, the Supreme Court of Russia reviewed the sentence and reduced the term for three defendants (Abiltarov, Memetov, Abseitov) by three months — to 8 years and 9 months.

Abkerimov Musa

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'.

Abultarov Bekir

Detention: After the occupation of Crimea, Bekir left the peninsula and voluntarily defended Ukraine. He served in the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in the 'Artan' unit. Sentence: On June 14, 2024, the Henichesk District Court of Kherson Oblast in absentia found Bekir Abultarov guilty and sentenced him to imprisonment, the term of which is unknown. The verdict was not appealed and became legally binding.

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.