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Tofik Abdulgaziyev, an activist with “Crimean Solidarity” who was sentenced to 12 years under the “Hizb ut-Tahrir” case, has been released from prison on health grounds. He returned home to Crimea on 29 October, reports Krym.Realii.
The decision to release Abdulgaziyev was made on 26 October by the Metallurgichesky District Court of Chelyabinsk, a city in the Urals. By that point, he had spent seven years and seven months in detention. News of his release was only shared with the public after he had returned to Crimea to be with his family.
“In 2019, a healthy, strong man was sent behind bars. Today, a person whose health has been severely damaged over the years of his imprisonment has been released,” wrote the activist’s wife, Aliye Kurtametova.
According to her, Abdulgaziyev now faces “a difficult and lengthy road to treatment and recovery.”
- Tofik Abdulgaziyev was detained in Crimea in March 2019. He was accused of participating in the activities of a terrorist organisation due to alleged involvement with the Islamic party “Hizb ut-Tahrir,” as well as preparing to seize power by force. In May 2022, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
- In March 2024, Abdulgaziyev was transferred in critical condition to the intensive care unit of a prison hospital. He was diagnosed with severe tuberculosis, anaemia, chronic heart failure and other illnesses. In August of the same year, the court refused to release him on health grounds.
- In autumn 2025, Abdulgaziyev began to lose his sight, and in December he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. He subsequently began experiencing fainting spells and problems with coordination. In 2026, a new case was opened against him for contempt of court.
6 November, 16:54 Abdulgaziyev left Russia after the prosecutor’s office appealed his release. He plans to seek medical treatment abroad and protect himself from being re-arrested. This was reported by the First Department.
The story has been updated to reflect the news of his departure.