Additional Name(s): Seyran Saliev, Салиев Сейран Алимович

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Ethnic Group: Crimean Tatar

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 15 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 16 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: October/11/2017

Date of Sentencing: September/16/2020

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Ethnoreligious Identity Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Seyran Saliyev

Extra Bio Info:

Seyran Saliyev is imprisoned for his alleged religious activity.

On October 11, 2017, authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, detained several Crimean Tatar activists, including Saliyev, after accusing them of being involved in the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, holding meetings and classes, and spreading the organizations ideology.

On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Saliyev to 16 years in prison for “participating in the activities of an organization…recognized as terrorist” (Art. 205.5-2 RCC), "preparing for actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power or the forcible retention of power” (Art. 30-1/Art. 278 RCC), and “public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism…committed with the use of mass media or electronic or information and telecommunication networks” (Art. 205.2-2 RCC). 

On March 14, 2022, the Military Court of Appeal in Vlasikha reduced Saliyev's sentence by one year to 15 years in prison.

Saliyev is married with three children.

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

Related Cases: Marlen Asanov, Timur Ibragimov, Memet Belyalov, Server Zekiryayev, Server Mustafayev, Edem Smailov, Ernes Ametov, Oleg Fedorov, Ernest Ibragimov

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