Akhtem Chiygoz’s appeal devoted to the Independence Day of Ukraine (TEXT)

Akhtem Chiygoz, Deputy Head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis (representative assembly) charged in connection with a pre-annexation demonstration on Feb 26, 2014. Не has been in custody for well over a year and face long prison sentence.

«Dear Ukrainian citizens!

We have to celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine in terms of occupation the third year at a stretch. Some of us are sentenced for that reason we declare with honor and dignity about our Ukrainian citizenship and don’t recognize Crimea as the Russian territory. Crimea itself has become a zone for liberty lovers.

The Ukrainians as a nation were in the difficult times in their history, but preserved the statehood. My nation couldn’t succeed in the same way…

Nowadays when Ukraine has tough times, and the Ukrainian nation is threatened losing its independence, each of us should fulfill own duty and protect the future for ourselves and our descendants as well.

Being sentenced and with a heavy heart we do feel all travails touched our country and rejoice its success. Fringes are at authority level thinking of prosperity, invoking pseudopatriotism, and betraying own country and nation, still are the main threat of the Ukrainian independence.

We watch the future with hope and are convinced that Ukraine will become the democratic European country! Crimean Tatars have been fighting and continue to fight for just that future since Ukraine gained its independence. Despite all travails tied with returning and settling at the historical homeland Crimean Tatars always were and from now on will be politically active nation.

Dear Mr. President of Ukraine!

There are several branches of government in a state but the President is just the guarantor of Constitution and is responsible for present and future of its nation and state.

Your predecessors managed Ukraine to continue losing its independence at a quickened pace for past ten years. The political issues were unspoken and hidden through a multi-vector nature persecuting personal interests, family interests and environmental as well.

As it happened, the development of the brand new Ukraine is accrued to you – to the President. We are convinced that you will manage this issue honorably. We have a possibility to compare with and to.

I wish you and us to pass this way worthily.

Best regards,

Akhtem Chiygoz»

Akhtem Chiygoz, Deputy Head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis (representative assembly) charged in connection with a pre-annexation demonstration on Feb 26, 2014, over which Russia can have no jurisdiction.  The prosecution is, in fact, in violation of Russia’s own criminal code, yet Chiygoz, has been in custody for well over a year and face long prison sentence.

Chiygoz is accused of «organizing mass riots», although all video evidence shows him and other Mejlis leaders working throughout the demonstration to calm protesters.