Turkish Foreign Ministry condemns detentions of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea

Illegal searches and detentions in Russian-occupied Crimea are yet another example of the systematic oppression and intimidation campaign against Crimean Tatars.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said this in a statement following a new wave of illegal searches and detentions of Crimean Tatars in the occupied Crimea on August 31.

“We are following with concern the raids on the houses of Crimean Tatars and the detentions that took place in Crimea this morning. This is the latest example of the systematic oppression and intimidation campaign against the Crimean Tatars following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014,” reads a press release.

Turkey will continue to stand by its kinsmen, Crimean Tatars, who have been defending their rights and interests by peaceful means and trying to make their voices heard through democratic methods, the Foreign Ministry added.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey Andrii Sybiha thanked Turkey for its firm position on non-recognition of the occupation of Crimea. “We appreciate and are grateful to Turkey for its firm and unchanging position regarding non-recognition of the occupation of Crimea and protection of the rights of Crimean Tatars,” Sybiha wrote on Twitter.

As Ukrinform reported, on Monday, August 31, the Russian occupation authorities raided the houses of Crimean Tatars in the occupied Crimea. Four people were detained. Ukraine opened a criminal investigation into the illegal searches in Crimean Tatar homes on the occupied peninsula.

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