Additional Name(s): Rustam Sheykhaliev, Шейхалиев Рустем Динарович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 14 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/27/2019

Date of Sentencing: November/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Ethnoreligious Identity Possession of Religious Materials Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Rustem Sheikhaliev

Extra Bio Info:

Rustem Sheikhaliev is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On March 27, 2019, authorities arrested Sheikhaliev, a citizen journalist from the Crimean Solidarity movement, after accusing him of being a member of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization. Authorities searched the homes of several activists and allegedly confiscated Hizb ut-Tahrir materials. He was charged with “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC) and "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC).

On November 24, 2022, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Sheikhaliev to 14 years in prison.

In January 2024, it was reported that Sheikhaliev had been experiencing heart issues and that prison administration has not responded to his requests for an EKG. That same report also alleged inhumane living conditions in his pretrial detention center, including a lack of water and rat infested cells. 

On February 1, 2024, the Military Court of Appeal upheld Sheikhaliev's sentence.

Sheikhaliev has three children.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) advocates for Sheikhaliev as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.

Related Cases: Enver Ametov, Ruslan Suleimanov, Yashar Muyedinov, Osman Arifmemetov

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