EU condemns sentencing of Crimean Tartar leader

BRUSSELS, Sept 28 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) condemned Thursday the two-year sentence handed to Crimean Tatar leader and Deputy Chair of Mejlis Ilmi Umerov by a court in Crimea yesterday.
"The European Union does not recognize the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation and therefore does not recognize this "court" and its sentence," said Maja Kocijancic, a spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, in a statement.
"The sentencing of Umerov is a serious violation of his human rights, another example of persecution of the Crimean Tatar community, and a further and clear illustration of the severe deterioration of human rights on the Crimean peninsula," she said.
Umerov has been convicted for voicing dissent against the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
"The European Union is unwavering in its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We reiterate that all illegally detailed Ukrainian citizens on the Crimean peninsula and in Russia must be released immediately," added the statement. (end) nk.gta