Political Prisoners

Rossikhin Anatolii

Detention: On the night of March 22, 2025, Russian security forces conducted simultaneous searches at several addresses and detained four family members who had previously lived in Lviv: Tetiana Malyar, her brother Valentyn Malyar, her son Anatolii Rossikhin, and her daughter Olha Malyar. Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, there is no information about a sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Anatolii Rossikhin of so-called 'state treason.' It is known that he is in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated.

Asanov Ruslan

Detention: August 24, 2023, Bakhchisaray district, temporarily occupied Crimea. On this day, Russian security forces conducted searches in the homes of six Crimean Tatar activists, including Ruslan Asanov. After the search, he was detained and taken to the occupation Kyiv District Court of Simferopol. On August 24, the court ordered his detention. Asanov was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code, and later under Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code, allegedly for preparing to seize power by force. The case became part of the so-called 'fifth Bakhchisaray group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. Sentence: As of September 6, 2026, Ruslan Asanov remains in custody, and his case is being heard by the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don. In 2026, the court continued to hear the case and considered defense motions; on June 15, 2026, the defense filed 52 motions in court.

Ryazanov Vitaliy

Detention: On September 4, 2022, Russian military forces abducted Vitaliy Ryazanov from his home in Kalanchak, Kherson region. He was held illegally for over two months in the basement of a police station in Chaplynka. Later, he was handed over to FSB officers and unlawfully transferred to occupied Crimea. The Russian authorities charged Ryazanov under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code, allegedly for participating in an illegal armed formation. His case was linked to the so-called 'Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan.' Sentence: On April 28, 2023, the unlawful 'Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea' sentenced Vitaliy Ryazanov to 5 years in a strict regime colony under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code. In July 2023, the occupation appeals court altered the sentence execution order. Ryazanov was to spend the first year in prison, followed by serving the remainder in a colony.

Sagandzhi Fevzi

Detention: In October 2017, Fevzi Sagandzhi was detained by FSB officers upon returning to occupied Crimea, according to human rights defenders. He reported being subjected to physical violence and forced to sign documents whose content he did not know. In March 2018, Russian authorities charged Sagandzhi under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged participation in an illegal armed formation. On April 11, 2018, he was arrested in connection with alleged involvement in the so-called 'Crimean Tatar Volunteer Battalion named after Noman Çelebicihan.' Sentence: On January 23, 2019, the Russian-controlled Leninsky District Court of Simferopol sentenced Fevzi Sagandzhi to 10 years and 6 months in a strict regime colony under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Russian Criminal Code. Sagandzhi denied the charges, stating he was never a member of the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. On May 14, 2019, the Russian-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea upheld the sentence.

Saidova Nasiba

Detention: On October 15, 2025, following a search of her home, FSB officers detained Nasiba Saidova and took her to the FSB office in Simferopol. Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, no sentence has been issued. The Russian Federation accuses Nasiba Saidova under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in the activities of a terrorist organization') in the so-called first women's 'Hizb ut-Tahrir case' in Crimea. Human rights defenders consider the prosecution politically motivated and linked to systemic pressure on Crimean Tatars.

Sakada Volodymyr

Arrest: On October 1, 2020, in occupied Sevastopol, Russian security forces conducted searches in the homes of at least nine Jehovah's Witnesses. Among those detained were Volodymyr Sakada, Volodymyr Maladyka, Yevhen Zhukov, and Ihor Schmidt. On the same day, the occupying authorities initiated criminal proceedings against Sakada, Maladyka, and Zhukov. After the search, Volodymyr Sakada was taken into custody. He spent 543 days in a pre-trial detention centre, followed by 303 days under house arrest. In total, he spent over five years under various forms of restriction before his release. Sentence: On October 6, 2022, the occupying Nakhimovsky District Court of Sevastopol found Volodymyr Sakada guilty under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code — “organizing the activities of an extremist organization,” referring to the religious activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. Sakada was sentenced to six years in a general regime colony. Additionally, he was prohibited from engaging in educational activities, public speaking, media publications, and posting materials online for seven years. After his release, he was also subject to one year of movement restrictions.

Saledinov Aider

Detention: On October 12, 2016, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted simultaneous searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Kamyanka and Strohonivka neighborhoods of Simferopol district. Among those detained was Aider Saledinov. Along with him, Teimur and Uzeir Abdullayev, Rustem Ismailov, and Emil Dzhemadenov were also detained. During the search of Saledinov's home, security forces seized mobile phones, a computer hard drive, and religious literature. A large family resided in the house at that time. Following the search, Saledinov was detained and taken into custody. The Russian side charged him under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code — 'participation in the activities of a terrorist organization,' referring to the religious organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir.' Ukrainian human rights activists consider the persecution of Crimean Tatars in this case to be politically motivated. Sentence: On June 18, 2019, the North Caucasus District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced Aider Saledinov to 12 years in a strict regime colony. Saledinov and other defendants did not admit guilt. On December 24, 2019, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation reduced Saledinov's sentence by six months on appeal. The final sentence is 11 years and 6 months of imprisonment.

Saliev Seiran

Detention: On October 11, 2017, in occupied Bakhchisarai, Russian security forces detained Crimean Tatar activist and citizen journalist Seiran Saliev. Along with him, five other Crimean Tatars—Timur Ibragimov, Marlen Asanov, Memet Belyalov, Server Zekiryaev, and Ernes Ametov—were detained as part of the so-called 'second Bakhchisarai Hizb ut-Tahrir case'. Prior to this, Saliev had been under pressure from the occupying security forces. On January 26, 2017, his home was searched for the first time, followed by another search later. Earlier, in 2016, he was fined for participating in a public action that the occupying forces classified as an unauthorized rally. The Russian side accused Saliev under articles related to alleged participation in the activities of a 'terrorist organization', preparation for violent seizure of power, and public calls for terrorist activities, referring to his alleged involvement in 'Hizb ut-Tahrir'. Ukrainian and international human rights defenders consider this politically motivated persecution for his religious beliefs and civic activism. Sentence: On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Seiran Saliev to 16 years in a strict regime colony. He was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.5, Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278, and Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. On March 14, 2021, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha partially granted the defense's appeal and reduced Saliev's sentence by one year—to 15 years of imprisonment. One of the charges was dropped.

Savchenko Yehor

Detention: In late May 2023, in occupied Kerch, Russian security forces detained Yehor Savchenko and Mykhailo Zhydkov. Prior to this, both were subjected to administrative arrest, followed by criminal proceedings for pro-Ukrainian and anti-war graffiti in the city. According to human rights defenders, they were accused of vandalism motivated by political hatred (Part 2, Article 214 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. After their detention, they were placed under house arrest. Before the criminal case was opened, the pro-Russian Telegram channel 'Crimean SMERSH' released a video showing Savchenko and Zhydkov apologizing under pressure for 'pro-Ukrainian graffiti' and expressing support for the Russian invasion. Human rights defenders consider...

Seidamet Alian

Detention: The exact date of detention is not disclosed in open sources. It is known that Alian Seidamet became a subject of criminal prosecution by the Russian Federation, accused of alleged participation in the Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. Information about his case is included in the monitoring by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. Sentence: As of 22.07.2026, there is no information in verified open sources about a final sentence or the release of Alian Seidamet. The Russian Federation prosecutes him within the so-called 'Noman Çelebicihan Battalion case,' which the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized as a 'terrorist organization' in 2022. Ukrainian and international human rights defenders consider this prosecution politically motivated.

Seidametov Refat

Detention: On January 24, 2023, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Dzhankoy district. Among those detained was Crimean Tatar activist and entrepreneur Refat Seidametov, residing in the village of Tymofiivka. Simultaneously, Khalil Mambetov, Osman Abdurazak, Leman Zekeriaev, and Ayder Asanov were also detained. Later, Ekrem Krosh was detained in the same case. After the searches, the men were taken to the FSB office in Simferopol. On January 25, 2023, the illegal 'Kyiv District Court' of Simferopol ordered pre-trial detention for all detainees. The Russian side accused them of allegedly participating in the activities of 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' and preparing for a violent seizure of power. Human rights defenders emphasize that such criminal cases against Crimean Tatars are politically motivated. The charges are based on the application of Russian law in occupied Crimea and the persecution of people for their religious beliefs and civic activism. Sentence: On April 29, 2025, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Refat Seidametov to 14 years in prison. The first 4 years are to be served in prison, followed by the remainder in a strict regime colony. After release, the court also imposed 1 year of restricted freedom. Seidametov was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged participation in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist under Russian law, and under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged preparation for a violent seizure of power.

Seitabdiyev Seitveli

Detention: On March 27, 2019, in occupied Simferopol, Russian security forces conducted extensive searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars. Seitveli Seitabdiyev was among those detained. These mass searches were part of the so-called 'second Simferopol group' of the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. The Russian side accused Seitabdiyev of alleged involvement in 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' activities and preparation for 'violent seizure of power.' He was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5, Part 1 of Article 30, and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code. Ukrainian human rights defenders consider such prosecutions of Crimean Tatars to be politically motivated. After his detention, Seitveli Seitabdiyev was held in a pre-trial detention centre in occupied Crimea and was later transferred to Russia for trial. Sentence: On March 18, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Seitveli Seitabdiyev to 14 years in a strict regime colony. The first 5 years were to be served in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. On July 7, 2023, the Military Appeals Court in Vlasikha upheld the sentence without changes.