Crimean political prisoner Server Mustafayev has been held in a penal colony in Tambov for two years now

Crimean political prisoner, human rights activist, and journalist Server Mustafayev, who was sentenced by Russian authorities to 14 years in prison, has been held for two years in harsh conditions at Colony No. 1 in Tambov. This was reported to Crimean Solidarity by his wife, Maye Mustafayeva, after a long visit she made with her family.

In August 2023, Mustafayev was first placed in a punishment cell (SHIZO) and then warned about his transfer to the harsh conditions of imprisonment. As it became known in February 2024, the colony administration explained this decision simply: “Nothing personal, just because of [the severity] of the article.”

According to his wife, the political prisoner has health problems, in particular, lower back pain. In February, after consulting with a neurologist, he was prescribed injections and an X-ray. The prison hospital doctor recommended a follow-up examination after the X-ray, but Server never received either the X-ray or the treatment. His family sends him the necessary medications in parcels.

During the visit, Mustafayev saw his three-month-old son Suleiman for the first time.

“Each of the children tried to share the latest events in their lives and receive parental advice. Our youngest smiled and did not leave his father’s arms. Server inhaled his scent and memorized all his movements. After the visit, he said, ‘I smell like him”, – said Maye Mustafayeva.

It is also known that in his free time, Server Mustafayev plays sports, reads the Quran and books, and continues to help others with legal issues.

“The server continues to engage in human rights activities and assists with the drafting of legal documents”, – emphasized the wife of the political prisoner.

On May 21, 2018, Russian security forces conducted searches in the homes of activists from the Crimean Solidarity public association in occupied Crimea, resulting in the detention of Server Mustafayev and Edem Smailov. They were accused of participating in the Hizb ut-Tahrir organization, which is banned in the Russian Federation.

On September 16, 2020, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don announced the verdict in the second Bakhchisaray “Hizb ut-Tahrir case.” Marlen Asanov was sentenced to 19 years in a strict regime colony, Memet Belyalov to 18, Timur Ibragimov to 17, Seiran Saliiev to 16, Server Mustafayev to 14, Server Zekiryayev and Edem Smailov to 13. Ernes Ametov was found not guilty and released in the courtroom. However, he was arrested again by the occupiers in the spring of 2022 and sentenced to 11 years in a strict regime colony and 1 year of restricted freedom on trumped-up charges related to Hizb ut-Tahrir.