Ukraine marks the day of Crimean Tatar resistance against occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, stated the Head of CEO Kurultai of the Crimean Tatar people Zair Smedlyayev in an interview to “112 Ukraine” TV channel.
“Back when we received information that Crimean Parliament was planning to address the President of the Russian Federation asking to make Crimea a part of Russian territory, a meeting of Mejlis was summoned and a decision was made to protest integration with Russia near Crimean Parliament”, - he explained.
According to Smedlyayev, repressions against Crimean Tatars started on May 3, when they met their leader Mustafa Djemiliov on Armyansk checkpoint, when he was banned from entering Crimea.
“There were clashes with the so-called law enforcement. 5 Crimean Tatars were arrested”, - he added.
Smedlyayev stated that currently 20 Crimean Tatars are missing.
“Some people say they went to fight for ISIS, set off to Syria or eastern Ukraine. But the facts say that they were detained by the Special Service. Their families are subjected to pressure”, - Smedlyayev explained.
