Political Prisoners

Seitaliev Nariman

Detention: On February 12, 2026, Russian security forces searched Nariman Seitaliev's home, detained him, and transported him to Simferopol. Sentence: As of July 22, 2026, no sentence has been issued. Nariman Seitaliev is charged under Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('organization of the activities of a terrorist organization') due to alleged involvement with the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir. Human rights organizations consider the persecution politically motivated and link it to systemic pressure on Crimean Tatars in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Seitkhalilov Rustem

Arrest: On March 27, 2019, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted large-scale searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Kamyanka, Strohonivka, and Bile in the Simferopol district. Rustem Seitkhalilov was among those detained as part of the so-called second Simferopol group in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. After his arrest, he was placed in custody. Russian investigators charged Seitkhalilov under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for 'participation in the activities of a terrorist organization.' Later, charges under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code were added, alleging preparation for the violent seizure of power. Sentence: On March 18, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Rustem Seitkhalilov to 14 years of imprisonment. The first 5 years were to be served in prison, followed by a term in a strict regime colony. The court also imposed 1 year of restricted freedom after release. On July 7, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Moscow upheld the sentence.

Seitmemetov Rustem

Arrest: On March 11, 2020, in occupied Bakhchisarai, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars. Among those detained was Crimean Tatar community activist Rustem Seitmemetov. His nephews, Seitumer and Osman Seitumerov, were also detained. Another individual, Amet Suleymanov, was detained that day, while Enver Mustafaev was released as a witness after interrogation. Following the search, Rustem Seitmemetov was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged participation in a 'terrorist organization.' The case materials also included charges under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged preparation for violent seizure of power. Human rights defenders consider the persecution politically motivated. Sentence: On October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Rustem Seitmemetov to 13 years of imprisonment. The first 3 years and 6 months were to be served in prison, followed by the remainder in a strict regime colony. On September 20, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dismissed the defense's cassation appeal and upheld the sentence against Rustem Seitmemetov and other defendants of the third Bakhchisarai group.

Seitosmanov Enver

Arrest: On May 10, 2018, Russian security forces conducted searches at the home of Enver Seitosmanov and his brother Ernes in the village of Baidary (Orlyne), Balaklava district of Sevastopol, as well as at their mother's house in the village of Sadove, Nyzhniohirskyi district. After the searches, Enver and Ernes were taken to the FSB office. Ernes was released after questioning, while Enver was detained. On May 11, 2018, the occupation court in Sevastopol ordered his detention. Russian security forces accused Enver Seitosmanov of involvement with the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir. Initially, he was charged under part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code, which was later reclassified to part 1 of the same article. Sentence: On December 5, 2019, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Enver Seitosmanov to 17 years in a strict regime colony and 1 year of restricted freedom after release. On April 16, 2020, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha, Moscow region, upheld the sentence. Enver Seitosmanov denied the charges, calling the prosecution politically motivated and linked to religious discrimination.

Seitosmanov Ernest

Arrest: On February 9, 2022, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Bakhchisaray, Simferopol, Bilohirsk districts, and the Balaklava district of Sevastopol. One of the search locations was the home of Ernest Seitosmanov in the village of Tylove, Balaklava district. After the search, Ernest Seitosmanov was detained and taken to a Russian security agency. He was taken into custody the same day. This was not the first search of his home. In April 2021, security forces also conducted a search, after which Seitosmanov reported being subjected to physical force during detention and interrogation. Sentence: On May 24, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Ernest Seitosmanov to 18 years in prison. The first four years were to be served in prison, followed by a strict regime penal colony. After release, the court imposed an additional 1 year and 6 months of restricted freedom. In November 2023, an appellate court reduced the sentence by six months to 17 years and 6 months of imprisonment.

Seitumerov Abdulmedzhit

Detention: On August 24, 2023, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars and detained six activists of 'Crimean Solidarity,' including Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov. On the morning of August 24, 2023, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in Bakhchisaray and the Bakhchisaray district. After the search, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov was detained and taken to Simferopol. The next day, the Russia-controlled Kyiv District Court of Simferopol ordered his detention. Along with him, five other Crimean Tatar activists were detained. Sentence: As of July 22, 2026, there is no information about the sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in the activities of a terrorist organization') as part of the so-called fifth Bakhchisaray case 'Hizb ut-Tahrir'.

Seitumerov Osman

Arrest: On March 11, 2020, Russian security forces conducted a series of mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisarai and the Bakhchisarai district. Searches took place in the homes of Osman Seitumerov, his older brother Seitumer Seitumerov, their uncle Rustem Seitmemetov, and Amet Suleymanov. Following the search, Osman Seitumerov was detained. On March 12, 2020, the illegal 'Kyiv District Court of Simferopol' ordered his detention. Osman was accused of alleged participation in the activities of the organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir.' Sentence: On October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Osman Seitumerov to 14 years in a strict regime colony. The first 3 years and 6 months were to be served in prison, followed by the remainder in a strict regime colony. After release, he was to be subject to one year of restricted freedom. On February 9, 2023, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld the sentence.

Semena Mykola

Arrest: On April 19, 2016, FSB officers conducted a search in the journalist's apartment in Simferopol, seized computer equipment, and initiated a criminal case against him under Part 2 of Article 280.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ('public calls for actions aimed at violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation'). The basis was an article published on the 'Crimea.Realities' website, in which the author expressed the need for the de-occupation of Crimea. After the search, Mykola Semena was prohibited from leaving Crimea and was later included in the Russian list of persons involved in extremist activities. During the investigation, he was under a travel ban. Ukrainian and international human rights organizations, the European Parliament, and several international institutions recognized Semena's case as politically motivated and related to persecution for journalistic activities. Sentence: On September 22, 2017, the Russia-controlled Railway District Court of Simferopol found Mykola Semena guilty of public calls to violate Russia's territorial integrity and sentenced him to 2 years and 6 months of suspended imprisonment with a probation period of 3 years. The court also prohibited the journalist from engaging in any public activities related to media publications. Initially, the ban was for three years, but it was later reduced to two years.

Senedzhuk Oksana

Arrest: On August 14, 2024, FSB officers searched Oksana Senedzhuk's residence in occupied Sevastopol and detained her. After the arrest, she was taken to a temporary detention facility and later to Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Simferopol. On August 15, 2024, the Russia-controlled Leninsky District Court of Sevastopol ordered her to be held in custody. Senedzhuk was charged under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code — 'treason.' Sentence: On December 26, 2024, the occupation Sevastopol City Court sentenced Oksana Senedzhuk to 15 years in a general regime colony, one year of restricted freedom after release, and a fine of 200,000 rubles. The trial was held in a closed session. On December 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation upheld the sentence and the appeal decision.

Sentsov Oleh

Arrest: On May 10, 2014, in Simferopol, FSB officers broke into Oleh Sentsov's apartment and abducted him. Subsequently, three other Crimeans were arrested: Oleksandr Kolchenko, Hennadiy Afanasyev, and Oleksiy Chirniy. Sentsov was transferred to the Lefortovo pre-trial detention centre in Moscow. Charges: 'organizing a terrorist group,' 'arson' of the offices of 'United Russia' and 'Russian Community of Crimea,' 'preparation for the explosion' of the Lenin monument and the 'Eternal Flame' memorial in Simferopol. Torture was used against him during interrogations. Two of the accused, Afanasyev and Chirniy, confessed and testified against Sentsov and Kolchenko, but Afanasyev later retracted his testimony, citing torture. Sentence: On August 25, 2015, the North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Oleh Sentsov to 20 years in a strict regime colony. After the verdict was announced, Sentsov and Kolchenko sang the Ukrainian anthem in the courtroom. Sentsov served his sentence in a strict regime colony in Labytnangi beyond the Arctic Circle. On September 7, 2019, he was released as part of a major exchange between Ukraine and Russia under the 35-for-35 formula, having spent 5 years and 4 months in captivity.

Sergeeva Victoria

Detention: August 21, 2025, Sochi airport (RF), after arriving from Turkey. Victoria Sergeeva's whereabouts were concealed from her family for over five months following her detention. It was later revealed that she was held in several pre-trial detention centres, including in Borisoglebsk, Voronezh region. Sentence: As of July 22, 2026, no final sentence has been issued. The Russian Federation accuses Victoria Sergeeva under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('treason'), alleging she made financial transfers to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Human rights defenders emphasize that the case is politically motivated, and the evidence may have been obtained under duress.

Filatov Serhiy

Arrest: In the fall of 2018, Serhiy Filatov's home in Dzhankoy was raided by an armed special unit—four buses and several service vehicles arrived. After the search, investigators initiated a criminal case against him for 'organizing the activities of an extremist organization' (Part 1, Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code) for leading the local Jehovah's Witnesses community. There were no victims in the case; the only prosecution witness was a security officer, and 'experts' included an Orthodox church priest and a local resident with a 'higher education in religious studies.' Sentence: On March 5, 2020, a judge of the Russian-controlled 'Dzhankoy District Court' sentenced Serhiy Filatov to 6 years in a general regime colony. The appellate and cassation courts upheld the sentence. In...