Political Prisoners

Sheikhaliev Rustem

Detention: On March 27, 2019, Rustem Sheikhaliev was detained by Russian security forces during mass searches of Crimean Tatar homes in Simferopol and the Simferopol district. He was accused of participating in the activities of the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir and preparing for a violent seizure of power. Human rights organizations consider Sheikhaliev's persecution to be politically motivated. Sentence: On November 24, 2022, the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Rustem Sheikhaliev to 14 years of imprisonment. The first four years were to be served in prison, after which he was to be transferred to a strict regime colony; restrictions on freedom were also to be imposed after release. On February 1, 2024, the appellate court upheld the sentence.

Shemshedinov Ismail

Detention: On January 26, 2024, Ismail Shemshedinov was detained by Russian security forces following a search of his home in the temporarily occupied village of Islam-Terek, Kirovsky district, Crimea. After the search, he was taken to an unknown location. His family was told he would supposedly make contact in three days, but this did not happen. His whereabouts remained unknown for over a year. Sentence: In July 2025, the so-called Supreme Court of occupied Crimea sentenced Ismail Shemshedinov to 13 years in a strict regime colony, followed by 1 year and 10 months of restricted freedom. He was found guilty of 'state treason.' The charges were based on claims by Russian security forces of alleged cooperation with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Shevchenko Oksana

Detention: Oksana Shevchenko was detained by Russian security forces in February 2024 in occupied Crimea, along with Volodymyr Bodnar and Volodymyr Ananyev. The Russian FSB claimed they were allegedly preparing an assassination attempt on the Kremlin-appointed 'head' of occupied Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov. After her detention, Oksana Shevchenko was held in Simferopol Pre-trial Detention Centre No. 2. Ukrainian human rights activists noted a staged video of the detention released by Russian media, which, according to Olga Skrypnyk, head of the Crimean Human Rights Group, may indicate the case was fabricated. Sentence: In April 2025, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Oksana Shevchenko to 10 years in a general regime colony and a fine of 500,000 rubles. She was found guilty of preparing a terrorist act and illegal handling of explosives. According to Suspilne Crimea, Shevchenko admitted guilt and made a pre-trial cooperation agreement with the investigation.

Shevkiev Riza

Detention: After the occupation of Crimea in 2014, Riza Shevkiev became a target of politically motivated persecution by the Russian Federation. The Russian prosecutor's office issued him an official "warning about the inadmissibility of extremist activities," which human rights defenders view as a tool to pressure one of the leaders of the Crimean Tatar national movement. Sentence: Due to ongoing persecution, Shevkiev was forced to leave occupied Crimea and could not even attend his parents' funerals. The Russian occupation authorities continue to exert political pressure on him due to his activities in the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

Shikhametov Yashar

Arrest: On February 17, 2021, Yashar Shikhametov was detained by Russian security forces during mass searches of Crimean Tatar homes in temporarily occupied Crimea. The searches and detentions took place simultaneously in Simferopol, Bakhchisaray, Sevastopol, Bilohirsk, and the Feodosia district. Along with Yashar Shikhametov, Azamat Eyupov, Timur Yalkabov, Lenur Seydametov, Ernest Ibragimov, and Oleg Fedorov were detained. All detainees were taken to the FSB office in Simferopol. Sentence: On September 9, 2022, the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced Yashar Shikhametov to 11 years in prison under part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – 'participation in the activities of an organization recognized as terrorist.' The first four years of the sentence were to be served in a strict regime prison, followed by a strict regime colony. In December 2023, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. On September 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation also upheld the sentence in cassation.

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.

Shtyblikov Dmytro

Arrest: On November 9, 2016, Dmytro Shtyblikov was detained by FSB officers in Sevastopol. Along with him, Oleksiy Bessarabov and Volodymyr Dudka were also detained. The Russian side claimed that the men were allegedly part of a 'sabotage-terrorist group' of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and were preparing sabotage in occupied Crimea. Shtyblikov was held in custody in connection with this case since November 2016. Sentence: On November 16, 2017, the occupation 'Sevastopol City Court' sentenced Dmytro Shtyblikov to 5 years in a strict regime colony and a fine of 200,000 rubles. After serving this sentence, a new case was opened against him under Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – 'state treason'. On April 27, 2022, the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation sentenced him to 19 years and 6 months of imprisonment, a fine of 200,000 rubles, and one year of restricted freedom after release. On November 9, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal upheld the sentence.

Shukurdiyev Veldar

Detention: After the occupation of Crimea, Veldar Shukurdiyev was repeatedly subjected to unlawful detentions by Russian security forces due to his pro-Ukrainian activities. Notably, on March 9, 2015, he was detained in Simferopol during a commemoration of Taras Shevchenko. On November 25, 2015, he was again detained at the administrative border with Crimea after returning from mainland Ukraine through the Kalanchak checkpoint. Sentence: His persecution involved systematic detentions, interrogations, and administrative pressure related to his public activities. Due to constant pressure, he was forced to leave occupied Crimea.

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 Sizikov due to health reasons: medical examinations confirmed complete loss of vision, which is listed among conditions preventing imprisonment. However, on October 21, 2025, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court overturned the release decision and ordered his return to prison, satisfying the prosecutor's request.

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.