{"id":84199,"date":"2017-09-11T11:50:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T11:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=c57aea9935a0e72c7330639b62ec13cd"},"modified":"2017-09-11T11:50:00","modified_gmt":"2017-09-11T11:50:00","slug":"press-release-minister-for-europe-concerned-by-the-conviction-and-sentencing-of-crimean-tatar-leader-by-de-facto-russian-authorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=84199","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Minister for Europe concerned by the conviction and sentencing of Crimean Tatar leader by \u2018de-facto\u2019 Russian authorities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Akhtem Chiygoz, Deputy Chair of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, was today found guilty of \u2018organising mass un-rest\u2019, and sentenced to 8 years. Human rights groups have reported serious flaws in the trial. This represents the latest development in a wider campaign by the Russian \u2018de-facto\u2019 authorities of targeting Crimean Tatars.<\/p>\n

Speaking after the verdict and sentencing of Akhtem Chiygoz was passed by the so-called \u2018Supreme Court\u2019 of the illegally annexed Crimea, Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, said:<\/p>\n

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The guilty verdict and sentencing of Akhtem Chiygoz to 8 years for \u2018organising mass un-rest\u2019 in Crimea demonstrates the deeply concerning persecution of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians opposed to the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.<\/p>\n

The trial itself appears to fall well short of international standards: Chiygoz was denied the option to attend court proceedings and his legal representative faced intimidation, which included arrest and temporary detention earlier this year. The alleged offence took place before Russia had even claimed control of Crimea through its illegal annexation, and appears part of a worrying effort to repress any political opposition in Crimea.<\/p>\n

The UK calls for the release of Chiygoz as well as the growing number of Crimeans the \u2018de-facto\u2019 Russian authorities have imprisoned for opposing the illegal annexation.<\/p>\n

Crimea is an integral part of Ukraine, and as such the UK does not recognise the legitimacy of Russian \u2018de-facto\u2019 authorities in Crimea including those \u2018elected\u2019 since the illegal annexation of the peninsula, such as the so-called \u2018Governor of Sevastopol\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Notes to Editors<\/h3>\n