U.S. Department of State calls on Russia to free Ilmi Umerov immediately

This was stated by Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State John Kirby.

"We are extremely concerned by the detention of Crimean Tatar leader Ilmi Umerov. We understand that his health condition is now critical and that he remains in a forced psychiatric detention. This tactic of detaining dissidents in psychiatric wards is deeply troubling. We join the international community in calling on the Russian Government to release him now," Kirby said.

As reported, the Federal Security Service of Russia initiated criminal proceeding against Ilmi Umerov on May 12 over his alleged calls for violating the integrity of the Russian Federation on the ATR TV channel. August 18, Umerov was put on forced inpatient forensic psychiatric examination, his health condition worsens.

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