Crimean Tatar Lenur Halilov, sentenced to 18 years in prison by Russia on terrorism charges, is in critical condition in a colony in Arkhangelsk. Due to severe health deterioration, the political prisoner could not be brought to a court hearing regarding his release, according to Refat Chubarov, head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

Chubarov stated that Halilov is dying in an Arkhangelsk prison, located nearly 2,500 km from occupied Crimea. Halilov has been diagnosed with liver cancer and contracted hepatitis C while in a Rostov pre-trial detention center. He was previously released last year due to health reasons and underwent two chemotherapy courses, but a Russian court revoked the release decision a month later, returning him to the colony.