Political Prisoners

Steshenko Oleksandr

Detention: On April 11, 2018, Oleksandr was traveling through the Chonhar entry-exit checkpoint to occupied Crimea to visit an acquaintance in Alushta. After crossing the administrative border, he was detained by FSB officers. The official reason given was an alleged discrepancy in the passport photo, although Steshenko had previously used the document without issue. After administrative arrest, he was taken from the detention center to an unknown location, and his whereabouts remained unknown for several days. The Ukrainian side reported his abduction, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine demanded that Russia provide information on the whereabouts of the Ukrainian citizen. Subsequently, the FSB announced a criminal case against Steshenko. He was accused of participating in a group allegedly planning to set fire to the house of the Crimean mufti Emirali Ablayev to incite ethnic hatred. According to Russian authorities, Steshenko confessed, but after his release, he stated that all confessions were obtained under torture. He reported that FSB officers beat him daily, used electric shocks, suffocated him with a bag, threatened to kill him, and forced him to incriminate himself and others. The confession video was recorded only after prolonged torture. Sentence: In August 2018, the Russia-controlled Central District Court of Simferopol found Oleksandr Steshenko guilty of setting fire to the Crimean mufti's house and sentenced him to 2 years in a settlement colony. The charge of creating an extremist group was dropped after he allegedly confessed, according to the investigation. Steshenko emphasized after his release that his testimony was entirely fabricated under duress.

Stogniy Oleksiy

Detention: On the night of November 14-15, 2016, he was detained by FSB officers near the Kalanchak checkpoint while leaving occupied Crimea for mainland Ukraine. He was traveling to Kyiv for his daughter's birthday. Russian media claimed Stogniy was a 'colonel of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine' and was detained during an 'agent meeting' in Sevastopol. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine refuted this, stating he had long completed military service and was not an employee of Ukrainian intelligence services. Initially, the FSB alleged Stogniy's involvement in preparing sabotage on infrastructure in occupied Crimea as part of the so-called 'Crimean saboteurs case.' Russian TV channels broadcast a video of his 'confession' to espionage for Ukraine. However, during the trial, charges of sabotage and espionage were not confirmed. Instead, he was charged with illegal acquisition, storage, and transportation of weapons and ammunition, as well as illegal manufacturing and repair of firearms. Sentence: On July 26, 2017, the Russia-controlled Kyiv District Court of Simferopol found Oleksiy Stogniy guilty under Part 1 of Article 222 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of weapons, their main parts, and ammunition') and Part 1 of Article 223 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('illegal manufacturing, alteration, or repair of firearms and ammunition'). He was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment. Charges of preparing sabotage and espionage were not included in the sentence.

Strilets Victoria

Detention: On October 3, 2024, Russian security forces detained Victoria Strilets and her daughter Oleksandra in occupied Sevastopol. Their detention was not immediately known; information about the case remained closed for some time. The Russian side claimed that Oleksandra allegedly established contact with Ukrainian intelligence and involved her mother in cooperation. According to the investigation, in September 2023, Oleksandra transmitted photographs of Russian military facilities via Telegram, allegedly taken by Victoria. These claims originate from Russian security structures and cannot be considered independently verified facts. No public statement from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine regarding this case has been recorded in open sources. Sentence: On August 5, 2025, the Russian-controlled Sevastopol City Court found Victoria Strilets guilty under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code (“state treason”) and sentenced her to 12 years in a general regime colony and 1 year of restricted freedom. The trial was held in a closed session. Victoria and her daughter were taken into custody directly in the courtroom. On January 21, 2026, ZMINA reported that the Third Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction of the Russian Federation upheld the sentences of Victoria and Oleksandra Strilets, making the punishment effective.

Strylets Oleksandra

Detention: On October 3, 2024, in occupied Sevastopol, Russian security forces detained Oleksandra Strylets and her mother Viktoria. The detention became known only later, as the Russian side did not publicly disclose the case until the trial concluded. Radio Liberty noted that in 2024, the mother and daughter effectively disappeared from contact, and information about their detention emerged after the verdict was announced. Russian security structures accused Oleksandra Strylets of treason under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code. According to the Russian investigation, in September 2023, she allegedly contacted Ukrainian intelligence representatives and transmitted photographs of Russian military objects via Telegram. The investigation claimed that some photographs were taken by her mother Viktoria, whom Oleksandra allegedly involved in this activity. There is no public confirmation of these claims from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Sentence: On August 5, 2025, the Russian-controlled Sevastopol City Court found Oleksandra Strylets guilty of treason and sentenced her to 12 years in a general regime colony. Her mother, Viktoria Strylets, received the same sentence.

Stukalo Ilya

Detention: Ilya Stukalo was detained in occupied Crimea. The exact date and circumstances of his detention are not fully known from publicly available sources at the time of preparing this material. Sentence: Ilya Stukalo was sentenced by the occupation courts. The specific term and date of the sentence are not recorded in open sources. It is known that he received a suspended sentence for pro-Ukrainian statements.

Sufyanov Alim

Detention: On July 7, 2020, Alim Sufyanov was detained during mass searches by Russian security forces in the homes of Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisaray, Simferopol, and other districts of occupied Crimea. The search at his residence took place in the village of Zaliznychne, Bakhchisaray district. Seven people were detained that day, six of whom, including Sufyanov, were taken into custody. Sentence: On May 17, 2023, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Alim Sufyanov to 12 years of imprisonment. He was to serve the first 4 years in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony. The court also imposed 1 year of restricted freedom after release. He was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.5 and Part 1 of Article 30, Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code. On September 13, 2024, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld the sentence. Alim Sufyanov did not admit guilt for the charges against him.

Suleimanov Ruslan

Detention: On March 26, 2019, Ruslan Suleimanov was detained at the administrative border with occupied Crimea at the 'Kalanchak' checkpoint and held for about seven hours. The next day, he was arrested as part of the so-called 'second Simferopol group' in the 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' case. On March 27, 2019, following mass searches of Crimean Tatar activists' homes in the Kamyanka and Strohanivka neighborhoods of Simferopol. Sentence: On November 24, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Ruslan Suleimanov to 14 years in prison. He was to serve the first 4 years in prison, with the remainder in a strict regime colony, followed by 1 year of restricted freedom. The court found him guilty of 'terrorist activities' and 'preparation for violent seizure of power.' Suleimanov did not plead guilty. On February 1, 2024, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha upheld the sentence.

Suleymanov Amet

Detention: On March 11, 2020, Russian security forces searched Amet Suleymanov's home in Bakhchisarai and detained him. He became a figure in the so-called third Bakhchisarai group in the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. Russian authorities charged Suleymanov under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for participation in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist in Russia, and under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Russian Criminal Code for alleged preparation for violent seizure of power. On March 12, 2020, the Russian-controlled Kyiv District Court of Simferopol placed him under house arrest due to a severe heart condition. This was the first instance in Hizb ut-Tahrir criminal cases in occupied Crimea where house arrest was chosen over detention. Sentence: On October 29, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Amet Suleymanov to 12 years in prison. According to the sentence, he was to spend the first 3 years and 6 months in prison, followed by serving the remainder in a strict regime colony. Additionally, 1 year of restricted freedom was imposed.

Suleymanov Eskender

Arrest: On June 10, 2019, in occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars in the Simferopol, Bilohirsk, and Alushta districts. In the village of Strohanivka, Simferopol district, a search took place at the Suleymanov family home. Following the search, Eskender Suleymanov was detained along with his younger brother Ruslan. Eskender Suleymanov was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Russian Criminal Code for 'participation in the activities of a terrorist organization,' as well as under Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 for allegedly preparing to seize power by force. The criminal prosecution was related to the Hizb ut-Tahrir case. Human rights organizations consider such cases to be politically motivated. Sentence: On March 18, 2022, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Eskender Suleymanov to 15 years of imprisonment. He was to spend the first 5 years in prison, followed by serving the remainder in a strict regime colony. After release, he was also assigned 1 year of restricted freedom. On July 7, 2023, the appellate court upheld the sentence, thereby enforcing the punishment imposed by the Russian court.

Suleymanov Redvan

Arrest: On July 30, 2016, FSB officers detained Redvan Suleymanov at Simferopol airport. For nearly two weeks, his whereabouts were unknown. Only on August 12, 2016, did the FSB release a video of his interrogation along with footage of Yevhen Panov and Andriy Zakhtey, claiming to have uncovered a 'Ukrainian sabotage group' in occupied Crimea. According to Russian security services, Suleymanov allegedly cooperated with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, was to obtain a Russian passport, work at Simferopol airport or bus station, gather information on military sites, and find locations for planting explosive devices. These claims later formed the basis of the FSB's information campaign regarding the so-called 'Crimean saboteurs case.' Sentence: On August 10, 2017, the Russian-controlled Railway District Court of Simferopol found Redvan Suleymanov guilty of knowingly false reporting of an act of terrorism committed by a group of persons (part 2, article 207 of the Russian Criminal Code) and sentenced him to 1 year and 8 months in a general regime colony. Additionally, the court ordered him to pay over 3.7 million rubles in compensation for alleged damages to the Kerch ferry, Simferopol airport, Sevastopol bus station, and Russian emergency services.

Suleymanov Yunus

Detention: On February 12, 2025, FSB officers searched Yunus Suleymanov's home and subsequently detained him, transporting him to Simferopol. The following day, an occupation court ordered his detention. Sentence: As of July 22, 2026, there is no final verdict. The Russian Federation accuses Yunus Suleymanov of alleged involvement with the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir, which the Russian Supreme Court has designated as a 'terrorist organization.' Ukrainian and international human rights advocates consider the case politically motivated, linking it to systematic repression against Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea.

Tarapon Oleksandr

Detention: Oleksandr Tarapon, a resident of Alushta and a Ukrainian citizen, openly expressed his anti-war stance following the full-scale Russian invasion. On March 31, 2022, he wrote on the fence of a relative's house, who participated in the war against Ukraine as part of Russian forces, the words: 'A war criminal, a child killer, lives here,' and posted anti-war leaflets nearby. The homeowners then filed a complaint with the Russian police. In March 2022, Oleksandr was detained by Russian law enforcement. Initially, an administrative protocol was drawn up against him, but later a criminal case was initiated under Part 1 of Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ('public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation'). For...