Political Prisoners

Seitumerov Abdulmedzhit

Detention: On August 24, 2023, FSB officers conducted mass searches in the homes of Crimean Tatars and detained six activists from the 'Crimean Solidarity', including Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov. In the morning of August 24, 2023, Russian security forces conducted mass searches in Bakhchisarai and the Bakhchisarai district. After the search, Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov was detained and taken to Simferopol. The next day, the Russia-controlled Kyiv District Court of Simferopol imposed a pre-trial detention measure on him. Along with him, five other Crimean Tatar activists were detained. 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'). Sentence: On October 21, 2026, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued guilty verdicts to six Crimean Tatars, defendants of the fifth Bakhchisarai group in the so-called 'Hizb ut-Tahrir case'. The men were sentenced to imprisonment terms ranging from 15 to 19 years in strict regime colonies. Abdulmedzhit Seitumerov was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

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...

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').

Settarov Oleksii

Detention: On May 29, 2023, the FSB of the Russian Federation reported the detention of two men, described as participants in an illegal armed group. Human rights defenders note that the brothers were detained directly in the field during work. Oleksii Settarov was charged under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for 'participation in an armed formation on the territory of a foreign state, not provided for by the legislation of that state, with purposes contrary to the interests of Russia.' The case was linked to Oleksii's alleged participation in the Crimean Tatar Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. Sentence: On October 26, 2023, the Russian-controlled Rozdolne District Court in occupied Crimea sentenced Oleksii Settarov to 5 years in a strict regime colony. He was to serve the first year of the sentence in prison. The sentence came into effect.

Settarov Volodymyr

Detention: On May 29, 2023, the FSB of the Russian Federation announced the detention of two brothers, Volodymyr and Oleksiy Settarov, in Crimea. According to human rights activists, the young men were detained in a field. Later, both brothers were taken into custody by a Russian-controlled court in Crimea. Volodymyr Settarov was charged under Part 2 of Article 208 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for participating in an armed formation on the territory of a foreign state, which, according to the Russian investigation, acted against the interests of the Russian Federation. The case was linked to alleged participation in the Crimean Tatar Noman Çelebicihan Battalion. Sentence: On November 22, 2023, the Russian-controlled Rozdolne District Court of occupied Crimea sentenced Volodymyr Settarov to 5 years and 6 months of imprisonment in a strict regime colony, with the first year to be served in prison. The court decision came into force.

Shablii Artem

Detention: On May 26, 2020, FSB officers conducted searches in the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kerch and Sevastopol. Following the search, Artem Volodymyrovych Shablii was detained. He was taken to a temporary detention facility, where he spent three days. Afterward, the occupation court imposed a travel restriction on him. A criminal case was initiated against Artem Shablii under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code ('participation in the activities of an extremist organization'). The charges were based on peaceful religious gatherings and Bible discussions. Human rights defenders emphasize that the persecution is solely related to freedom of religion. Verdict: As of July 29, 2026, no guilty verdict has been issued against Artem Shablii. He continues to be listed as a defendant in the criminal proceedings in open independent sources. There is no information about sentencing or case closure.

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.