IDEE Press Statement
Crimean Tatar Leaders Call for Increased Sanctions
Against Russia for Illegal Occupation of Crimea and Systematic Repression
Washington, D.C. (May 18, 2018): Released political prisoners Akhtem Chiygoz and Ilmi Umerov, leaders of the Crimean Tatar nation who were imprisoned by Russian occupation authorities in Crimea, called for increased sanctions on Russia during a trip to […]
For Release: October 25, 2017
Contacts: Eric Chenoweth and Irena Lasota
Press Release
IDEE Condemns Forced Exile of Crimean Tatar Leaders
The Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE) welcomes the release from prison and house arrest of Akhtem Chiygoz and Ilmi Umerov, the two deputy chairmen of the Crimean Tatar national assembly, the Mejlis. IDEE equally and strongly protests their forcible expulsion from Crimea. Their unwanted exile is a further violation of human rights by the Russian government — part of a systematic campaign of persecution of Crimean Tatars since its illegal occupation of Crimea in March 2014. […]
On 12 March in Moscow the Russian President Vladimir Putin had a half-hour conversation with leader of the Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Jamil. Mediator in the conversation was ex-President Mintimer Shaimiyev. […]