Crimean Tatars Threaten Authorities with Riot if Remembrance Events Obstructed

The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People is prepared to organize street actions with the participation of thousands of Tatars if the authorities hinder the traditional honoring of the memory of victims of the deportation marked on May 18, the head of the Mejlis, Ukrainian deputy Mustafa Jemilev, said to Radio Freedom in a comment about the rejection by the Simferopol authorities of his request to assist the Mejlis in organizing commemoration events at the central square of the city, UNIAN has reported.

Jemilev called the refusal of the officials to approve the proposed traditional remembrance events a “provocation of the authorities.” According to him, it was understood by the Mejlis as an attempt to dismiss the representative body of the Crimean Tatars from the organization of the remembrance events and to provoke unrest.

“We will continue to do what we have been doing for 23 years. As for them, they will see the result if they want to do something else,” said Jemilev.

According to him, the authorities plan to engage members of the Council of Reps of Crimean Tatars attached to the Presidential Administration who are hostile to the Mejlis and its leaders in the organization of the events. He also says they plan to summon employees of government-financed organizations from the regions to demonstrate public support of the council.

“But the Crimean Tatars will not be silent. They will come in columns from five sides and fill the square. If they are stopped, we will block roads and paralyze the traffic at least in Simferopol and possibly in other regions of the autonomy later. It is a dangerous game,” said the head of the Mejlis.