France calls on Russia to release Chiygoz, stop violating rights of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea

France calls on Russia to release deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Akhtem Chiygoz and all persons detained in the annexed Crimea with violation of the international law.

Ukrinform learned this from the press service of the French Embassy to Ukraine on Monday.

"After more than three years of illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, the situation with observance of human rights, especially of the Tatar community, continues to cause concern. The verdict issued on September 11 to Ahtem Chiygoz, the deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, is a sad demonstration of this," the report says.

France and its European partners consider the ban by the Russian authorities of the activities of the Mejlis since April 2016 as a violation of the rights of the Crimean Tatars.

"Therefore, we call for the release of all persons detained in violation of the international law," reads a statement.

France remains committed to the complete restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

As reported, on September 11, a Russian-controlled court in the occupied Crimea sentenced Chiygoz to eight years in prison.

The occupation authorities accused him of "organizing mass riots" during a rally in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity on February 26, 2014.

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