Political Prisoners

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.

Samoylova Yevheniya

Detention: On April 18, 2024, Russian security forces detained Yevheniya Samoylova and her husband Serhiy Kozlov. For a long time, their whereabouts remained unknown. Sentence: As of July 21, 2026, there is no final verdict. The Russian Federation accuses Yevheniya Samoylova of 'state treason,' 'preparation for a terrorist act,' and 'illegal acquisition, storage, and transportation of explosives.' Human rights defenders consider the case politically motivated.

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 such videos as elements of psychological pressure and coercion. Verdict: As of July 27, 2026, there is no confirmed information from independent sources regarding a final verdict for Yehor Savchenko. It is known that after the criminal case was initiated, he was under house arrest. The Russian side has publicly provided little information on the court proceedings, and human rights organizations have not reported on the verdict becoming legally binding.

Schmidt Igor

Detention: On October 1, 2020, Igor Schmidt was detained by Russian security forces in occupied Sevastopol following searches in the homes of at least nine local residents. The next day, the so-called Lenin District 'court' of Sevastopol imposed a preventive measure of detention. Schmidt was held in pre-trial detention centre No. 1 in Simferopol for 173 days, after which, on March 23, 2021, he was placed under house arrest. Sentence: On October 22, 2021, the so-called Gagarin District 'court' of Sevastopol sentenced Igor Schmidt to 6 years in a general regime colony under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code. Additionally, he was banned from engaging in activities related to public speaking and publications in the media and the Internet for 6 years, and his freedom was restricted for 1 year. In January 2022, the so-called Sevastopol City 'court' upheld the sentence. On September 7, 2026, having served the full six-year term, Igor Schmidt was released.

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.

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.