Today, we are highlighting the case of Ruslan Mesutov, who was illegally sentenced by the occupiers to 18 years in prison on charges of alleged “terrorism.” Despite his deteriorating health, the 58-year-old is not receiving appropriate medical care. Ruslan Mesutov is forced to go on starvation because he is being fed food with pork, contrary to his religious beliefs.

The prison where he is being held is known as “krytka” due to its harsh conditions. There are four people in a damp cell measuring 6 by 7 meters, and prisoners are allowed to walk on the roof of the prison for only one and a half to two hours once a day.

Life Before Detention

Ruslan Mesutov was born on September 11, 1965, in Uzbekistan. In 1988, he returned to Crimea and got a job as a turner at a factory in Alushta, where he was given a land plot. Later, he brought his parents and sisters to Crimea. In 2000, he married Elzara Hodzhenova, and they had two sons, Ramazan and Muhammed.

Ruslan was a member of the Crimean Tatar People’s Movement. In the village of Malyi Maiak (Biuiuk-Lambat), he organized the Muslim community Avdet, which is part of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea. He became one of the founders of the religious community in Alushta, served as a security guard at the mosque, engaged in social activities, organized Muslim holidays, held prayers, and assisted with funeral arrangements.

What Did the Occupiers Accuse Him Of?

Representatives of the occupation authorities detained Ruslan on June 10, 2019, along with other Crimean Tatars. The occupation investigators charged him with violating Part 1 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Organization of the activities of a terrorist organization”), which provides for imprisonment for a term of 15 to 20 years, and Part 1 of Article 30 and Article 278 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Preparation for the violent seizure of power by an organized group by prior conspiracy”), which provides for up to ten years in prison.

In May 2020, Ruslan was transferred to the territory of the Russian Federation. An illegal sentence was imposed on August 16, 2021, and he was sentenced to 18 years in a strict regime colony with a 1-year and 6-month restriction of liberty after release.

The Real Reason for Ruslan Mesutov’s Detention

Ruslan was arrested two weeks before a court hearing that was to consider the claim of the religious community of Alushta regarding the transfer of the city mosque by the occupation administration to the illegal formation Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea. The main reason for Ruslan Mesutov’s detention is his religious and public activities, identity, and support for his people.

Where Is Ruslan Mesutov Now?

Ruslan Mesutov is being held in a Russian prison in the Lipetsk region. According to his lawyer, Siiar Panych, his client’s health condition has deteriorated, and he is not receiving medical care. Since November 2022, Ruslan has faced difficulties with nutrition, as pork has been introduced into his main diet, which he does not eat due to his religious beliefs. Muslims serving time in this institution wrote an appeal to the prison administration, but the issue has not yet been resolved.

Additionally, the political prisoner’s Quran was taken away from him. “They took away Mesutov’s Quran in Arabic to have it examined by a specialist to prove that it was a ‘normal Quran’ and not an ‘extremist’ one. Since November, he hasn’t been able to get it back, and it depresses him quite a bit,” said lawyer Volodymyr Bilenko.

These materials were created as part of the #10yearsofResistance information campaign in cooperation with the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine. The campaign is part of the events dedicated to the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea.