Foreign Ministry comments on Russia’s intention to sentence Mejilis chairperson to 9 years in prison

First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Cepparova called the demand of the Russian prosecution in Crimea to sentence the chairperson of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov to nine years imprisonment, who's being tried in absentia on the occupied peninsula, "a policy of intimidation."

Radio Svoboda reports.

"Another demonstration of intimidation and pressure on the indigenous people of Crimea. The Russian occupants, who are holding a 'trial' in absentia over the chairperson of the Crimean Tatar People's Mejlis Refat Chubarov for resisting Russia's occupation of Crimea, want to give him 9 years in prison," Cepparova wrote on Twitter.

It should be noted that at a meeting of the Kremlin-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea on May 24, the prosecution requested 9 years in prison for Chubarov, stating that Chubarov's guilt was fully proven by the testimony of victims, witnesses, and other evidence in the case.

Refat Chubarov called the process "condemning" and said that for him "it doesn't change the way of life."

The verdict is scheduled for June 1.

Refat Chubarov is accused of "organizing mass riots on February 26, 2014, outside the Crimean parliament" in the annexed Crimea.

Last year, Russian investigators in annexed Crimea indicted the absentee of the Crimean Tatar People's Mejlis, Refat Chubarov, in absentia for articles on "organizing riots," "public calls for action aimed at violating Russia's territorial integrity."

Chubarov himself noted that the Russian authorities "began another wave of repression against the Crimean Tatar people."

Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmila Denisova called the case illegal and "another type of repression against the indigenous people of Crimea."

The ARC prosecutor's office has opened proceedings over a criminal case opened by Russian investigators against Chubarov.