He was born on October 28, 1991 in Dushanbe, the capital of Tadzhykystan. In 1992, the Alimov family returned to Crimea.

In September 1998, he went to the first class of a secondary school in Krasnokamianka. During his studies, Refat received several certificates of appreciation, took an active part in theater clubs, attended karate and dance classes.

In 2003-2006, he studied Computer Technologies and New Software at the Ukrainian-Russian College of Humanities and Economics. In 2009, he graduated from the Crimean Republican College with a diploma “Auto repair mechanic”.

Since 2010, he has worked as a sales representative in various companies.

On April 18, 2016, after raids in Krasnokamianka, Russian security forces detained Refat Alimov and his friend Arsen Dzhepparov on suspicion of involvement in Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is recognized as a terrorist organization under Russian law. As a result of the search, one religious book and Refat's computer were seized. Neighbors claim that masked men with machine guns entered Alimov's house, breaking down the front door.

Natalia Bekirova, the wife of Refat's uncle Enver Bekirov, who was detained on similar charges in February 2016, claims that Refat Alimov and Arsen Dzhepparov could have been arrested for communicating with her husband. According to her, the young men did communicate periodically with Enver Bekirov on religious topics, but these conversations had no terrorist content.

Investigative authorities persuaded Refat Alimov to cooperate and promised to give a minimum sentence if he agreed to testify against his uncle Enver Bekirov. Refat refused.

On February 2, 2017, during a court hearing, Refat Alimov and Arsen Dzhepparov reported threats and harsh conditions of detention in the pre-trial detention center.

Refat Alimov has chronic kidney and stomach problems, which began to worsen during his stay in the pre-trial detention center. Alimov's lawyer, Edem Semedliaiev, complained about the untimely provision of medical care to his client.

On November 12, 2019, the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced six defendants of the Yalta group to long terms imprisonment. Refat Alimov was sentenced to 8 years in a strict regime colony.

As of February 8, 2020, Refat Alimov is being held in SIZO No. 2 in Tahanroh. According to the lawyer Edem Semedliaiev: "Refat Alimov was kept in solitary confinement for a month. All his personal clothes were taken away from him while he was put in solitary confinement. He was not allowed to use blankets and his medicines were taken from him. When the consul [of Ukraine in Rostov-on-Don] came, the officer persuaded him not to complain in exchange for a transfer to normal conditions of detention."