Political Prisoners

Prysych Volodymyr

Arrest: On August 13, 2016, at 11:30, FSB officers detained Volodymyr Prysych, a truck driver from Kharkiv, in Sevastopol, where he arrived in a cargo vehicle via the Kerch ferry crossing. During the arrest, the vehicle was thoroughly inspected, and no drugs were found. Prysych's personal belongings were confiscated, and the truck keys were taken. The vehicle was left in the parking lot of the 'Musson' shopping center without security or sealing. Nine hours later, at 21:15, the FSB conducted a 'vehicle inspection' and 'found' 500 grams of cannabis in the cabin. Prysych was then taken to Simferopol. The defense believes the drugs were planted between the two inspections, which is why FSB investigator Ihor Ihorovych Tyshyn is listed in the human rights violators database as responsible. Sentence: On August 14, 2016, during interrogation as a suspect, Prysych signed a 'confession' typed by the investigator under moral and physical pressure from FSB operatives and the appointed lawyer Petrosyan. Prysych also stated he was forced to record a video confession of 'espionage for Ukraine' after being tortured with electric shocks. On May 18, 2017, the Russian-controlled 'Gagarinsky District Court' in Sevastopol sentenced Prysych to 3 years in a general regime colony under Part 2 of Article 228 of the Russian Criminal Code (drug possession). An appeal hearing was scheduled for August 3, 2017. Prysych served his sentence, and the case was closed on August 15, 2019.

Ramazanov Ismail

Detention: On January 23, 2018, a search was conducted at Ismail Ramazanov's home in the village of Novyi Svit, Simferopol district, Crimea. He was detained the same day. The Investigative Committee of Russia charged him with 'extremism propaganda' for disseminating materials that 'incite interethnic enmity and interreligious hatred' via the internet radio app Zello. Ramazanov was detained during a broader wave of searches in several districts of Crimea. On January 24, the Simferopol District Court of Crimea arrested him for 30 days. During the court session, he could barely stand and claimed that FSB officers had beaten him. The court rejected the defense's requests, including for an ambulance. Sentence: Ismail Ramazanov was held in custody for six months, the maximum allowable pre-trial detention for this category of cases. On July 14, 2018, he was released from the pre-trial detention centre. On January 16, 2019, the criminal case was closed. Later, his name was removed from the Russian 'List of Terrorists and Extremists.'

Razzakov Shevket

Detention: On April 13, 2017, Russian security forces conducted a search at the home of Crimean Tatar activist Seydamet Mustafayev in Bakhchisarai. Local residents and activists gathered outside to observe the actions of the Russian security personnel. Among them was Shevket Razzakov. In May 2017, Shevket was summoned to the Russian Investigative Committee as a witness, but during questioning, he was informed that his procedural status had changed to that of a suspect in a criminal case under Article 319 of the Russian Criminal Code ('public insult of a government representative'). According to the investigation, during the events of April 13, he allegedly insulted a Russian National Guard officer by spitting in his direction and using foul language. Razzakov categorically denied the charges, and his defense emphasized that video recordings of the events did not support the investigation's version and contained no evidence of intentional insult to law enforcement. Sentence: The trial began in late 2017 and was repeatedly postponed due to the absence of prosecution witnesses. On April 24, 2018, the Russian-controlled magistrate's court in Bakhchisarai found Shevket Razzakov guilty of publicly insulting a government representative and imposed a fine of 20,000 Russian rubles. The prosecution had requested a harsher penalty of 300 hours of community service. After the verdict was announced, Razzakov stated his intention to appeal, noting that the charges were based on false testimony and not supported by objective evidence.

Memetov Remzi

Detention: On May 12, 2016, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars, subsequently detaining Remzi Shevkaevich Memetov along with Enver Mamutov, Zevri Abseitov, and Rustem Abiltarov. This case became known as the 'first Bakhchisaray group of the Hizb ut-Tahrir case.' Russian authorities accused him of participating in the activities of the organization 'Hizb ut-Tahrir,' which is recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia, although it operates legally in Ukraine. The investigation claimed he participated in religious meetings where religious and socio-political issues were discussed. Human rights defenders emphasize that the case is politically motivated and lacks evidence of preparation or commission of violent acts. Sentence: On December 24, 2018, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Remzi Memetov guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in the activities of a terrorist organization') and for preparing to violently seize power (Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code), sentencing him to 9 years in a strict regime colony and one year of restricted freedom after release. On July 11, 2019, the Supreme Court of Russia reduced the sentence by three months to 8 years and 9 months of imprisonment. On February 11, 2025, Remzi Memetov was released after serving the full term of the unlawfully imposed sentence.

Reshetnichenko Danylo

Detention: On June 10, 2020, Russian security forces detained Danylo Reshetnichenko. On the same day, Andriy Kuliyevych, Mykola Lahutin, and Valentyn Khoroshaiev were also detained. According to the Russian side, in May 2020, Reshetnichenko and other case participants distributed leaflets in public places in Crimea calling for the overthrow of the Russian Federation's government and containing statements interpreted by Russian investigators as justifying such activities. The content of the leaflets was not disclosed by the Russian court. On June 13, 2020, Reshetnichenko was placed under house arrest, later replaced by restrictions on certain actions. Unlike the other three defendants, Reshetnichenko was not accused by the Russian side of directly preparing an explosion. Sentence: On June 16, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Danylo Reshetnichenko to 2 years in a settlement colony under Part 1 of Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code — "public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism, or propaganda of terrorism." According to the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, he served his sentence in Settlement Colony No. 1 in Kerch.

Revut Anatolii

Detention: The exact date of detention is not disclosed in open sources. It is known that at the end of 2025, the occupation 'Kyiv District Court' of Simferopol imposed pre-trial detention on Anatolii Revut on fabricated charges of 'state treason'. The arrest became publicly known on December 24, 2025. Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, there is no information about a sentence being issued. The Russian Federation accuses Anatolii Revut under Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('state treason'). Human rights defenders emphasize that the case shows signs of politically motivated persecution, and the occupation authorities conceal the details of the charges.

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.

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.