23 January 2026

Face of Resistance: The Story of Crimean Tatar Political Prisoner Seiran Khairetdinov

Life Before The Detention

Seiran Khairetdinov was born in the town of Kasansay, Namangan region of Uzbekistan. Like thousands of Crimean Tatar families, his family returned to Crimea only in the late 1980s.

Seiran studied at the Bakhchysarai Professional Construction Lyceum, where he qualified as a car mechanic and driver. He did not work in his speciality; after graduating, he worked in construction together with his father.

He is married and has three children. Previously, he was actively involved in his community and helped organise events for children.

Persecution

On 7 July 2020, during mass searches in various districts of Crimea, occupying security forces detained Seiran Khairetdinov along with other Crimean Tatars. That day, the searches were accompanied by an information campaign about the alleged “detection of terrorist activity”.

The occupiers accused him of allegedly “organising the activities of a terrorist organisation” within the framework of the so-called fourth Bakhchysarai group of the Crimean Muslims case.

Behind The Bars

While in custody, Seiran Khairetdinov’s health deteriorated significantly. In 2023, he developed severe symptoms: rashes all over his body, high fever, intense pain, and exhaustion. Despite this, he was forced to participate in court hearings, and full medical assistance was provided with a delay.

Only after a sharp deterioration in his condition was he temporarily hospitalised; however, the treatment was not completed, and he was returned to the pre-trial detention centre prematurely. This resulted in weight loss and prolonged muscle weakness.

In May 2023, a Russian court sentenced the political prisoner to 12 years of imprisonment. He is to serve the first four years in prison, and the remainder of the term in a strict-regime penal colony.

Until 21 November 2024, the Crimean Tatar was held in SIZO-3 in Novocherkassk, Russia. In December of the same year, he informed his family in a letter that during the transfer, he was temporarily placed in a colony in Perm, and in January 2025, Seiran Khairetdinov was transferred to the Vladimir Central prison, located more than 1,500 km from Crimea, where he remains to this day.