15 October 2025

Political prisoner Lenur Khalilov, released from a Russian penal colony due to health reasons, has been re-arrested by the occupiers

Russian occupiers have re-arrested political prisoner Lenur Khalilov, a 57-year-old Crimean Tatar and defendant in the “Crimean Muslims case,” who had previously been released from a Russian penal colony due to health issues.

Khalilov suffers from several medical conditions: primary liver cancer with metastases to lymph nodes, chronic hepatitis C, stage II hypertension, small liver cysts, a cyst in the left kidney, and kidney stones. A Russian court previously concluded that Khalilov could not serve his sentence due to a malignant tumor. According to Russian Resolution No. 54 of 2004, his illness is included in the list of diseases that prevent the execution of a prison sentence.

Later, at a regional court hearing, the Russian prosecution unjustifiably labeled Khalilov as a “particularly dangerous criminal” and demanded the continuation of his detention. His lawyer, Emil Kurbedinov, described this stance as “unfounded and violating the constitutional rights of Lenur-aga Khalilov.” He called the decision of the Russian Arkhangelsk Regional Court—ordering Khalilov’s immediate detention—“inhumane” and “cruel.” Kurbedinov also noted that the defense intends to file a cassation appeal.

“This decision is illegal and unfounded. Moreover, it effectively sends Lenur-aga to death in a penal colony while he suffers from such a serious illness,” the lawyer stated.

On June 10, 2019, in the Alushta municipal district, security forces detained acting imam Ruslan Nagaev and entrepreneur Eldar Kantimirov, as well as one of the founders of the Alushta religious community, Ruslan Mesutov, and the head of the community, Lenur Khalilov. All of them are defendants in the so-called “Crimean Muslims case.”

On August 16, 2021, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don issued a verdict: Nagaev and Kantimirov were sentenced to 13 and 12 years, respectively, while Khalilov and Mesutov received 18-year prison terms. The occupiers recognized the latter two as “organizers of a terrorist cell,” while Nagaev and Kantimirov were deemed its participants.

On August 21, 2025, it became known that Khalilov had been released from serving his sentence due to illness. He soon returned to Crimea.