14 May 2025

Aziz Akhtemov Turns 29 Today — His Third Birthday Behind Bars

Today, 14 May 2025, Crimean Tatar civic activist Aziz Akhtemov marks his 29th birthday in Penal Colony No. 10 in Rubtsovsk, Altai Krai, Russian Federation. This is the third birthday he is forced to spend behind bars, far from his family and his native Crimea.

In September 2021, Aziz, his cousin Asan Akhtemov, and Nariman Dzhelyal, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, were detained by Russian security forces and accused of sabotaging a gas pipeline in the village of Perevalne. During their detention and interrogation, they were subjected to torture, including beatings, electric shocks, and psychological pressure, in an attempt to coerce them into testifying against themselves.

On 21 September 2022, an occupation “court” in Crimea sentenced Aziz Akhtemov to 13 years in a high-security penal colony, a fine of 500,000 rubles, and one year of restricted freedom. His cousin Asan Akhtemov was sentenced to 15 years, and Nariman Dzhelyal to 17 years in prison.

Following the verdict, Aziz Akhtemov was transferred from Crimea to Russia. He was held in a prison in Yeniseysk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, then in Detention Center No. 1 in Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, and Barnaul. On 6 November 2024, he was moved to Penal Colony No. 10 in the city of Rubtsovsk, Altai Krai, where he is currently serving his sentence.

The international community, including human rights organizations, the European Union, and the United States, has recognized Aziz Akhtemov’s case as politically motivated and considers him a political prisoner. His prosecution is part of a broader campaign of repression targeting the Crimean Tatar community and civic activists in occupied Crimea.

We call for increased international pressure to put an end to repressions in the temporarily occupied territories and to continue efforts to hold the aggressor state accountable for violations of international humanitarian law.