95% of Crimean Tatars do not recognize Russian jurisdiction in Crimea

The Crimean Tatar Mejlis deputy chairman Ilmi Umerov says that 95% of Crimean Tatars do not recognize the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation in annexed Crimea, even if they do not speak it out.

He stated this during an interview with Ukrinform.

«Even if they keep silence, do not go to rallies, which is now impossible in the Crimea, then at kitchen policy level I am sure that 95% of Crimean Tatars will not recognize (Russian jurisdiction - ed.)», — Umerov said.

In his opinion, now the invaders are trying to intimidate the Crimean Tatars to achieve their loyalty.

«Cruelty is a show. Now in Crimea, the main thing for occupiers is to achieve loyalty among population. When love does not work, then you need to be intimidated. For example, my case should obviously make think that if a Mejlis member, who worked at high positions and headed the district, is accused of extremism just because of statements, then what will happen to an ordinary person. The problems that the Crimean Tatars are facing now have not existed in Russia since the 1990s. And here, after the so-called annexation of Crimea in 2014, a large ethnic group like the Crimean Tatars overwhelmingly do not recognize the Russian jurisdiction», — he said.

According to human rights activists, currently 130 Ukrainian citizens are detained both in Russia and in occupied Crimea on fabricated charges, but most of them Crimean Tatars.