Political Prisoners

Seryogin Danilo

Detention: In April 2023, the Simferopol District Court, controlled by Russia, found Danilo guilty under an administrative article for 'discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation' and fined him 40,000 rubles. According to the occupying authorities, he allegedly publicly shouted phrases like 'NATO troops will soon enter Crimea' and spoke against Russia's war against Ukraine. In May 2023, according to the investigation, Seryogin posted on his Facebook page under the pseudonym Afigo Baltasar publications that Russian law enforcement classified as repeated 'discrediting of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.' The specific publications that led to the criminal prosecution were not officially disclosed. In August 2023, a criminal case was initiated against him under Part 1 of Article 280.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('repeated discrediting of the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation').

Shablii Hlib

Arrest: In November 2016, Hlib was detained by FSB officers in Sevastopol as part of the so-called 'Crimean saboteurs case'. The Russian side claimed that Shablii was a member of a 'sabotage and terrorist group of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine', allegedly preparing sabotage in occupied Crimea. Along with him, Dmytro Shtyblikov, Oleksii Bessarabov, Volodymyr Dudka, Oleksii Stohnii, and other Ukrainian citizens were detained at different times in this case. During the investigation, the FSB dropped charges of preparing sabotage and espionage. Instead, Shablii was accused of illegal manufacture of an explosive device and illegal acquisition, transportation, and storage of explosives and an explosive device. The Memorial Human Rights Center recognized Hlib Shablii as a political prisoner, emphasizing that his persecution was politically motivated. Sentence: In November 2017, the Russian-controlled Gagarinsky District Court of Sevastopol found Hlib Shablii guilty under Part 1 of Article 223.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('illegal manufacture of an explosive device') and Part 1 of Article 222.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('illegal acquisition, transportation, and storage of explosives and an explosive device') and sentenced him to 5 years in a general regime colony. The sentence did not include charges of sabotage or espionage, although these claims were the basis for his arrest and the FSB's information campaign.

Shiptur Mykola

Detention: In early March 2014, he arrived in Sevastopol to participate in a peaceful pro-Ukrainian rally marking the 200th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko's birth. On March 9, 2014, after the rally, Shiptur was detained by members of the Russian-controlled 'Crimean self-defense' units and later handed over to Russian law enforcement. According to the investigation, during a clash, he allegedly attempted to kill a 'self-defense' member and illegally transported firearms. Shiptur denied the charges, claiming he was a victim of politically motivated persecution due to his pro-Ukrainian stance. Human rights activists also emphasized the political nature of the case. Sentence: On April 28, 2015, the Russian-controlled Gagarinsky District Court of Sevastopol found Mykola Shiptur guilty of attempted murder of a person in connection with their official duties and illegal transportation of weapons, sentencing him to 10 years in a high-security colony. During the appeal on June 16, 2015, the Sevastopol City Court dropped the charge of illegal weapon transportation and reduced the sentence to 9 years. Shiptur served his sentence in Correctional Colony No. 1 in Simferopol. He reported harsh conditions, including unsanitary conditions, insufficient food, and mistreatment of inmates. He also witnessed the detention and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Siruk Vadym

Arrest: On February 11, 2016, in occupied Yalta and Alushta, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars. Vadym Siruk, religious figure Muslim Aliyev, human rights defender Emir-Usein Kuku, and school guard Inver Bekirov were detained that day. Later, Arsen Dzhepparov and Refat Alimov, detained on April 18, 2016, were added to the case. Vadym was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for participation in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist by the Russian authorities, as well as under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 for preparation for violent seizure of power. The charges were related to alleged participation in the activities of the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir. Sentence: On November 12, 2019, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Vadym Siruk to 12 years in a strict regime colony with a one-year restriction of freedom. On June 25, 2020, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha, Moscow Region, upheld the sentence. On May 27, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation also rejected the cassation appeal and left the sentence unchanged.

Sizikov Oleksandr

Detention: On July 7, 2020, Russian security forces searched the home of a blind Crimean Tatar activist and detained him as part of the so-called fourth Bakhchisaray Hizb ut-Tahrir case. Following his detention, the court placed him under house arrest due to complete loss of vision. Sentence: On May 17, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don unlawfully sentenced Oleksandr Sizikov to 17 years of imprisonment, with the first 4 years in prison and the remainder in a strict regime colony. The Russian Federation found him guilty under charges of 'organizing the activities of a terrorist organization' and 'preparation for violent seizure of power.' Ukrainian and international human rights organizations consider the case politically motivated. In May 2025, the Minusinsk City Court released...

Smailov Edem

Arrest: On May 21, 2018, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces searched Edem Smailov's home in the village of Dolynne, Bakhchisaray district. Following the search, he was detained and arrested. On the same day, Server Mustafayev, coordinator of 'Crimean Solidarity,' was also detained. Both became figures in the so-called 'second Bakhchisaray group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. Edem Smailov was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged participation in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist by Russian authorities. He was also accused under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged preparation for violent seizure or retention of power. Human rights defenders consider the persecution politically and religiously motivated. Sentence: On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Edem Smailov to 13 years in a strict regime colony, followed by one year of restricted freedom. On March 14, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld Edem Smailov's sentence without significant changes. The defense's appeals were denied.

Smedlyaev Tair

Detention: On October 22, 2014, Russian security forces detained Tair Smedlyaev in Stary Krym. The vehicle he was in with his two sons was stopped, and he was taken to Simferopol. Tair was charged under Part 1 of Article 318 of the Russian Criminal Code (“use of violence not dangerous to life or health against a government representative”). According to the investigation, during the events of May 3, 2014, he used physical force against a member of the special unit 'Berkut'. On October 24, 2014, the Kyiv District Court of Simferopol ordered his detention for two months. The court session was held in closed session, excluding relatives and journalists. Lawyer Emil Kurbedinov and human rights defenders reported numerous procedural violations and the political nature of the persecution. In December 2014, the preventive measure was changed to personal surety. Sentence: On December 10, 2015, the Russian-controlled city court of Armyansk found Tair Smedlyaev guilty under Part 1 of Article 318 of the Russian Criminal Code and sentenced him to 2 years of suspended imprisonment. The court concluded that during the events of May 3, 2014, he used violence against a 'Berkut' officer. Human rights defenders considered the case politically motivated and compared it to the 'Bolotnaya case' in Russia, noting it aimed to intimidate the Crimean Tatar population after the occupation of Crimea. On September 4, 2017, the Russian-controlled Kirovsky District Court granted the defense's request for early termination of the suspended sentence and expunged Tair Smedlyaev's conviction due to the completion of most of the probation period and absence of violations.

Smedlyaiev Abibulla

Detention: On February 5, 2025, FSB officers conducted a search at Abibulla Smedlyaiev's home, after which he was detained and taken to the FSB office in Simferopol. Along with him, four other Crimean Tatars were detained as part of the so-called fourth Dzhankoy case of 'Hizb ut-Tahrir'. Sentence: As of July 22, 2026, there is no information on the sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Abibulla Smedlyaiev of participating in the activities of the Islamic political party 'Hizb ut-Tahrir', which the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has designated as a 'terrorist organization'. Ukrainian and international human rights defenders consider this persecution politically motivated and linked to systemic repression against Crimean Tatars.

Sokolova Yulia

Detention: In July 2023, when Yulia Sokolova was 17, Russian security forces detained her in the occupied Kherson region. According to her grandmother, she was repeatedly taken for questioning. Initially, she was under house arrest. On January 7, 2024, Yulia Sokolova was detained again and taken into custody. Her family did not know her whereabouts for over a month. On February 14, 2024, she was transferred to pre-trial detention centre No. 2 in Simferopol. Later, Yulia was moved to a detention facility in Chongar in the occupied Kherson region. Sentence: In April 2025, the occupation Kherson Regional Court sentenced Yulia Sokolova to 9 years in a general regime colony. She was found guilty under Articles 275 of the Russian Criminal Code — 'state treason' and 276 — 'espionage'. The exact date of the verdict was initially undisclosed; the date of April 13, 2025, was confirmed by later reports on the case.

Sotsenko Anna

Detention: On February 5, 2025, following a search of their residence, Russian FSB officers took Anna Sotsenko and her daughter Oksana to an unknown location. For nearly nine months, their whereabouts were concealed from family and the public. Only in November 2025 did human rights defenders determine that both women were held in Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Simferopol. Sentence: As of July 22, 2026, there is no information on a sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Anna Sotsenko under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code (“state treason”). Human rights organizations consider the case politically motivated, emphasizing that the detention followed a forced disappearance and that proceedings lack transparency and fair trial standards.

Sotsenko Oksana

Detention: On February 5, 2025, following a search, officers of the Russian FSB detained Oksana Sotsenko along with her mother, Anna Sotsenko, and took them to an unknown location. For nearly nine months, their whereabouts were concealed. It was only in November 2025 that it became known they were held in Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 1 in Simferopol. Sentence: As of 22.07.2026, there is no information on a sentence. The Russian Federation accuses Oksana Sotsenko under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code (“state treason”). Human rights organizations consider the criminal prosecution politically motivated and emphasize gross human rights violations, including enforced disappearance and prolonged detention without contact with the outside world.

Khudoley Stanislav

Arrest: On June 22, 2021, FSB officers detained Stanislav Khudoley following operational measures, accusing him of allegedly transmitting military information to the Ukrainian side. Sentence: On December 22, 2022, the Russia-controlled 'Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea' sentenced Stanislav Khudoley to 12 years in a high-security penal colony with an additional year of restricted freedom after release under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code ('treason'). In March 2023, the appellate court upheld the sentence. As of July 22, 2026, he continues to serve his sentence.