EU condemns detention by Russia of Crimean Tatar leaders

The European Union has condemned searches in the illegally annexed Crimea which resulted in the detention by Russia of five Crimean Tatar leaders (Eldar Odamanov, Aziz Akhtemov, Nariman Dzhelial, Shevket Useinov and Asan Akhtemov) and up to 50 people on September 3 and 4.

According to a statement by the European External Action Service, issued on 7 September, the European Union considers the detentions to be politically motivated and illegal under international law. The EU also reiterates that it does not recognise the enforcement of Russian legislation in Crimea and Sevastopol and expects all illegally detained Ukrainians to be released without delay.

“Crimean Tatars continue to be targeted in Crimea. The European Union calls on the Russian Federation to comply with its obligations under international law and stop human rights violations of Crimea residents, as also stated on 23 August 2021 in the common statement of the International Crimean Platform Summit,” says the statement.

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