Pretrial detention of Crimean Tatar leader extended
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pretrial detention of Crimean Tatar leader extended, 12 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5509408215.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 12, 2015
By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine – A court in Crimea's capital, Simferopol, has prolonged the pretrial detention for a deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis.
A district court in Simferopol ruled on February 11 that Ahtem Ciygoz must stay in pretrial detention until May 19.
Ciygoz was arrested on January 29 for what investigators said was organizing "mass disorder" in the regional capital, Simferopol, last year.
He was sent to pretrial detention until February 19.
Another Crimean Tatar activist, Iskender Kantemirov, was placed in two-month pretrial detention on February 8 on the same charge.
Crimean Tatars and other pro-Ukrainian activists clashed with pro-Russian activists near the parliament on February 26 last year.
The next day, armed men in unmarked uniforms seized the parliament building.
Russia annexed Crimea in March after a referendum condemned by Kyiv and the West as illegitimate.
Since then, activists and rights groups say Crimean Tatars have faced discrimination, pressure, and abuse for their opposition to the annexation.
Several have been banned from Crimea and others are missing.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website