Latest Developments Related to Crimean Tatars

Mustafa Jemilev detained at the checkpoint, finally entered Crimea

The veteran leader of Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Jemilev, has been briefly detained by Russian border guards while entering Crimea from mainland Ukraine April 19.

Mr. Jemilev and head of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov were held at the Chonhar checkpoint for about an hour before Russian border guards finally allowed them to enter the peninsula.

He said supporters travelled to the administrative boundary in some 50 cars with Ukrainian and Tatar flags to meet the two leaders.

According to Jemilev, the border guards confiscated his and Chubarov’s travel documents and had a telephone conversation about the incident, “most likely with Moscow.”

Jemilev has reiterated his stance that Crimea is a part of Ukraine and his nation sees its future within the independent state of Ukraine.

Putin, Erdogan discuss problems of Crimean Tatars

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to exercise caution so that Crimean Tatars are not hurt from the crisis in Ukraine, Today’s Zaman reported.

Erdogan reportedly told Putin that Turkey attaches much importance to Crimean Tatars’ security as the crisis in Ukraine unfolds.

Turkish Premier also recalled that he hosted leader of Crimean Tatars Mustafa Jamil in Ankara on Wednesday and highlighted the importance of dialogue between the parties.

The sides also discussed bilateral ties between the two Black Sea nations, including in the energy sector.

Crimean peninsula was annexed By Russian Federation folowing Crimean referendum March 16.

Crimean Tatars largely opposed Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Putin signs rehabilitation bill for Crimean ethnic minorities

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the rehabilitation of ethnic minorities who suffered during the repression of the Stalin era, RIA Novosti reports.

“I would like to inform you that I have signed a decree on the rehabilitation of the Crimean Tatar population of Crimea, the Armenian population, the Germans, the Greeks and all those who suffered during the Stalin repression,” – Putin said Monday during a meeting on priority national projects and demographic policy.

Speaking at the annual question-and-answer session in Moscow, April 17 Putin pointed out that Crimean Tatar people suffered much during Stalin-epoch repressions and were deported from Crimea.

“We should do everything that depends on us to link the process of incorporation in the Russian Federation with rehabilitation and reinstatement of legitimate rights and interests of Crimean Tatar people”- he noted.

QHA