Crimean Tatar detained by Interpol at Russia’s request released in France – Chubarov

According to Ukrinform, Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, reported this on Facebook.

“We inform you that Ukrainian citizen Ilnur Shagaev, detained on 20 May 2025 in the city of Cherbourg (France) at the moment when he, together with his wife and children, was boarding a ferry to Ireland, where the Shagaev family has temporary protection status, was released by a decision of the Higher Court of Appeal of France after lengthy legal proceedings,” Chubarov wrote.

He recalled that Shagaev was detained after the Russian Federation's punitive bodies asked Interpol for help. They claimed that Shagaev was a terrorist, which is a common accusation that the Russian security services make against Crimean Tatars.

According to the politician, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people submitted appeals both to the French side through the Embassy of France in Ukraine and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. After all reviews, the Crimean Tatar was acquitted by the French court, and violations were identified in the actions of law enforcement authorities.

“The judicial process concluded with the full acquittal of Ilnur Shagaev. The Court of Cassation found that the actions of France’s law enforcement bodies toward Ilnur Shagaev, in certain but significant aspects, breached applicable national legislation,” Chubarov added.

He noted that Shagaev’s release from the deportation camp, where he had been transferred from prison, took place on 22 October, and he was able to leave France only on 7 November, after all procedures were completed and the necessary documents were issued.

“As Ilnur Shagaev informed me by phone today, he has already arrived in Ireland, where his family, his wife and three minor children, had been waiting for him,” Chubarov added.

As reported by Ukrinform, Russia uses Interpol to persecute Ukrainian military personnel.