Political Prisoners

Mustafayev Server

Arrest: On May 21, 2018, Server Mustafayev, a Crimean Tatar human rights defender, civic journalist, and coordinator of the public association 'Crimean Solidarity,' was detained by Russian security forces following a search of his home in Bakhchisaray, on the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The search began early in the morning and lasted about three hours. During this time, security forces seized documents and electronic devices, and Server Mustafayev was detained after the search concluded. The Russian side accused him of alleged involvement in the activities of 'Hizb ut-Tahrir,' an organization recognized as terrorist in Russia. Human rights defenders consider the persecution of Server Mustafayev to be politically motivated. Sentence: On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Server Mustafayev to 14 years in a high-security penal colony. He was found guilty under Russian criminal law articles related to alleged participation in a terrorist organization and preparation for the violent seizure of power. On March 14, 2021, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. In December 2025, the Russian cassation court also rejected the appeal and upheld the sentence. During the cassation hearing, the court interrupted Server Mustafayev's speech, despite his attempts to highlight violations in his case.

Mustafayev Vokhid

Detention: On March 5, 2024, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Bakhchisaray and Dzhankoy districts of temporarily occupied Crimea. Among those detained was Vokhid Mustafayev, a resident of the Dzhankoy district, a religious figure, and the imam of a mosque in the village of Lobanovo. On the same day, he was remanded in custody. The Crimean Tatar Resource Center classifies Mustafayev's case as politically motivated persecution of Crimean Tatars. He became one of the defendants in the so-called 'third Dzhankoy group' in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. Sentence: On May 21, 2026, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Vokhid Mustafayev to 14 years in prison. The first 2 years are to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime penal colony. Another defendant in the case, Ali Mamutov, received the same sentence.

Muyedinov Yashar

Detention: On March 27, 2019, during mass searches of Crimean Tatar homes in the Kamyanka and Stroganovka neighborhoods of Simferopol, Russian security forces detained Yashar Muyedinov. He became one of the defendants in the so-called second Simferopol group of the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir case'. After his detention, he was placed in a pre-trial detention centre. Ukrainian human rights defenders and state bodies consider Muyedinov's persecution politically motivated. Sentence: On November 24, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Yashar Muyedinov to 13 years in a high-security penal colony. The first four years were to be served in prison, followed by the remainder in the colony. After release, the court imposed one year of restricted freedom. Muyedinov was found guilty of charges related to participation in the activities of the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' organization and allegedly preparing for a violent seizure of power. Muyedinov and other defendants did not plead guilty and stated that they consider the persecution politically motivated.

Onuk Mykola

Detention: On August 1, 2023, Russian security forces conducted a search at Mykola Onuk's residence in Simferopol, where he lived with his mother. According to criminal case materials, FSB officers received information about his alleged involvement in distributing leaflets in Simferopol featuring an image of a double-headed eagle pierced by a blue and yellow sword, with the inscription 'Crimea is Ukraine.' During the search, Russian investigators claimed to have found a TNT block in Onuk's apartment. On the same day, Mykola Onuk was detained on administrative charges of disobeying lawful orders from authorities. On August 2, 2023, the occupation court sentenced him to 13 days of administrative arrest. After serving this term, Onuk was not released; he was immediately detained again and faced administrative charges for publicly displaying prohibited symbols and 'discrediting' the Russian Armed Forces. On August 25, 2023, a criminal case was initiated against Mykola Onuk under Article 222.1, Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code for illegal possession of an explosive device, and he was taken into custody. On August 30, 2023, another criminal case was opened under the article on vandalism, and later, charges of 'desecration of the state emblem of the Russian Federation' were added. The criminal cases were consolidated. Sentence: On May 16, 2024, the illegal 'Zheleznodorozhny District Court' of Simferopol sentenced Mykola Onuk to 5 years in a general regime penal colony and a fine of 50,000 Russian rubles.

Nagayev Ruslan

Arrest: On June 10, 2019, Russian security forces detained Ruslan Nagayev at his home in the village of Malorichenske, Alushta district, in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The arrest was part of the so-called 'Alushta group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. Along with Nagayev, Lenur Khalilov, Ruslan Mesutov, and Eldar Kantemirov were also detained that day. The following day, the so-called Kyiv District Court of Simferopol ordered Nagayev to be held in custody. Sentence: On August 16, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Ruslan Nagayev to 13 years in a strict regime colony, with the first 2 years to be served in prison, and imposed 1 year of restricted freedom after release. He was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code — 'participation in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist', as well as under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code — alleged preparation for violent seizure of power.

Ametov Nariman

Detention: On December 17, 2021, officers of the Russian FSB conducted a search at the home of Crimean Tatar Nariman Ametov in the city of Stary Krym. Before the search concluded, he was taken to an unknown location. It later became known that he was tortured by the authorities to force him to testify against himself and other Crimean Tatars. He was subsequently charged under Part 1 of Article 30 and Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code ('preparation to participate in an illegal armed formation'). Ukrainian human rights organizations emphasize

Dzhelyalov Nariman

Detention: On September 3–4, 2021, five Crimean Tatars were arrested. Initially, only Asan and Aziz Akhtemov were suspects in the 'sabotage' of the 'Krymgazmerezhi' gas pipeline, while Nariman Dzhelyalov was a witness and not mentioned in the case initiation order. He became a suspect after testimony from a concealed witness, who appeared on the day of the arrest. On September 4, 2021, Dzhelyalov was detained at his home in the village of Pervomaiske, Simferopol district. After arrest, he was placed in the 'special block' of the Simferopol pre-trial detention centre under strict conditions: more frequent cell inspections, separate walks and medical visits, constant video surveillance. Sentence: The charges were progressively intensified: in late September and November 2021, the FSB reclassified Dzhelyalov's charge from 'aiding' to 'participation in sabotage as part of an organized group,' adding illegal acquisition, storage, and transportation of explosive devices and illegal transfer of explosives across the border. On September 21, 2022, the Russian-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea sentenced Nariman Dzhelyalov to 17 years of imprisonment, a fine of 700,000 rubles, and 1.5 years of restricted freedom after serving the main term. In July 2023, the Third Court of Appeal in Sochi upheld the sentence, specifying that Dzhelyalov must serve the first three years in a high-security prison. During the sentencing, he wore a T-shirt with the inscription 'Two flags — one country.'

Seydaliev Nasrulla

Detention: On March 4, 2022, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces detained Crimean Tatar activist and deputy head of the Kherson Regional Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Nasrulla Seydaliev. That day, he traveled to Crimea to visit his son living in the village of Strohanivka. Seydaliev was detained in Simferopol. Subsequently, a criminal case was initiated against him under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged participation in an illegal armed formation. Russian investigators linked Seydaliev's case to the so-called 'Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan.' According to the prosecution, he allegedly provided food to the formation's members and performed household tasks. Sentence: On November 30, 2022, an occupation 'court' in Crimea sentenced Nasrulla Seydaliev to 9 years in a strict regime colony and 1 year of administrative supervision after release.

Nebiyev Eskender

Detention: On April 21, 2015, in occupied Crimea, Crimean Tatar television channel ATR operator Eskender Nebiyev was detained. The basis was his presence at a rally on February 26, 2014, in front of the Crimean Supreme Council building — a case initiated for participation in an event that occurred before Russia's occupation of Crimea. According to the investigation, he participated in 'mass riots.' Zair Smedlyaev, head of the Central Election Commission of the Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar people, believed Nebiyev was arrested partly because he refused to give false testimony against Akhtem Chiygoz, deputy head of the Mejlis, who had been in custody for over 8 months on charges of organizing the same events on February 26. Sentence: On October 12, 2015, a Russian-controlled court sentenced Eskender Nebiyev to 2 years and 6 months of suspended imprisonment under Part 2 of Article 212 of the Russian Criminal Code ('Participation in mass riots'). The court considered his full admission of guilt and cooperation with the investigation. The case was closed after serving the suspended sentence.

Nimetulaev Remzi

Detention: On August 24, 2023, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Bakhchisaray district. After the search, Remzi Nimetulaev was detained along with other activists. Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, there is no information about the sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Remzi Nimetulaev under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of the activities of a terrorist organization'), linking the case to alleged involvement in the Islamic political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations consider the case politically motivated and emphasize that the persecution is part of a systematic campaign of repression against Crimean Tatars.

Nimetulaeva Esma

Detention: On October 15, 2025, FSB officers searched the Nimetulaev family home and detained Esma. Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, there is no information on the sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Esma Nimetulaeva under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of the activities of a terrorist organization'), linking the case to alleged involvement in the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir. Ukrainian human rights organizations consider the case politically motivated and view it as a continuation of repressions against Crimean Tatars and families of political prisoners.

Voronchykhin Oleksandr

Arrest: On November 17, 2022, Russian security forces conducted a series of mass searches in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses, after which a criminal case was initiated against Oleksandr Voronchykhin under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of the activities of an extremist organization'). After interrogation, he was released under travel restrictions. Human rights defenders consider the prosecution politically motivated and solely related to the exercise of the right to freedom of religion. Sentence: As of July 26, 2026, there is no final verdict. The criminal case is under consideration in the Russian-controlled Simferopol District Court. Oleksandr Voronchykhin remains under travel restrictions.