Life before the detention

Eldar Kantymirov was born on 10 July 1980. Prior to his active public involvement, Eldar was an entrepreneur, specializing in the sale of traditional Crimean Tatar souvenirs. A sportsman, champion of Crimea, and medal winner at the Ukrainian Boxing Championship, he also pursued an advanced religious education, graduating from the Kyiv Islamic University and completing an internship at Egypt’s Al-Azhar University – one of the most prestigious Islamic educational centers in the world. Together with his wife, he raised four children.

Persecution

The repression against Eldar Kantymirov began in 2017 when he held a solo picket with a sign reading “Crimean Tatars are not terrorists.” For expressing his civic stance, he was illegally detained by the occupation security forces, fined, and later had his home searched. Despite the pressure, Eldar continued to support the families of other political prisoners, attended court hearings, took an active part in the life of the “Salgir-Baba” Muslim community, and organized children’s festivals –  hosting his last event just one day before his arrest.

On June 10, 2019, the occupation authorities detained Eldar. A Russian “court” found him guilty of alleged participation in a terrorist organization and preparation for a “violent seizure of power” based on fabricated charges, sentencing him to 12 years in prison.

Behind the bars

Years in prison under bad conditions have severely ruined Eldar’s health. During a forced medical examination, he was diagnosed with the first stage of Parkinson’s disease. His lawyer says Eldar needs constant medical care so the illness does not get worse. His chronic kidney disease has also become much worse in prison.

Currently, Eldar Kantymirov is being held thousands of kilometers away from home – in Penal Colony No. 8 in the city of Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russian Federation.