Activists demand the release of a blind political prisoner

Crimean muslim Alexandra Sizikova арестовали In July 2020, he was arrested for allegedly participating in the terrorist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir. Activists supporting Sizikov claim he was given banned literature in flat print, which he was physically unable to read. In July 2022, Memorial recognized him as a political prisoner. In May 2023, Sizikov was sentenced to 17 years in prison. 

Sizikov was diagnosed with total blindness following an accident in 2009. His stage three hypertension also worsened while in prison, causing him severe pain and high blood pressure. Total blindness is one of the conditions that precludes imprisonment. 

In April 2025, the Federal Penitentiary Service filed a motion for Sizikov's release, a motion even supported by prison doctors. He was released, but was later detained again when the court overturned the release order in October 2025. 
Alexander is deprived of the opportunity to live a normal life, as all the means that help a blind person outside the prison are unavailable in the penal colony. He also cannot receive the necessary maintenance treatment for his hypertension. Alexander's friends and family are asking sign the petitionto publicize his story.