The Abiltarov family of Crimean Tatars was one of the many families against whom the USSR authorities committed a crime against humanity in 1944, namely deportation from Crimea. At that time, allegedly because of their cooperation with the Axis powers during World War II, the Soviet government imposed collective guilt and punishment on ten nationalities, including the Crimean Tatars. A significant number of the representatives of these peoples were deported to remote areas of Central Asia and Siberia.

Rustem was born in Uzbekystan, in the city of Bekabad in 1979. At the age of fourteen, he with his parents returned to Crimea, to the city of Bakhchysarai. After graduating from school, he studied craft and construction professions; in Bakhchysarai, he is known as a good master of finishing and construction work.

Rustem has four children: three boys and one girl.

Rustem Abiltarov was detained in Crimea on May 12, 2016. On December 24, 2018, the Southern District Military Court of Rostov-on-Don passed a verdict against Rustem Abiltarov. He was found guilty and sentenced to 9 years in a strict regime colony. By appeal, the sentence was reduced by 3 months.

The investigation was conducted with numerous violations. During the court hearings, "secret witnesses" were interrogated in a secret room with voice distortion. The lawyers believe that there could have been unauthorized people in the room with the witnesses, who prompted answers to the witnesses. The interrogation protocols do not contain the questions that the investigator asked the witnesses, which is a violation of the RF CPC. This may indicate that the questions were leading and could have influenced the testimony.