Jul 24, 2014

Crimean Tatars: Locals Harassed With Further FSB Investigations


For the past few months, Russian Federal Security Service forces (FSB) have undertaken unjustified investigations of Crimean Tatar public places and businesses under the pretext of fighting against ‘extremist activities’. After breaking into a Muslim school in late June 2014, FSB forces have this time searched several cafes in a neighborhood of Bakchisaray to crack down on the Crimean Tatar owners who were allegedly operating ‘illegal activities’.   

Below is an article published by QHA:

Masked policemen together with Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers arrived to Crimean Tatar Musafir cafe in Bakhchisaray, to investigate “illegal enterprise activity”, Deputy of Bakhchisaray city Administration Mustafa Mustafaev said to QHA correspondent.

“4 gunmen, FSB and MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs) officers, a total of 20 men arrived to the cafe. They said they were investigating illegal enterprise activity in Bakhchisaray, still showed no documents”- Mustafaev said.

Commenting the situation, deputy head of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar people Ahtem Chiygoz said “it is pressing of Crimean Tatars”, noting there are number of illegal items, that have no documents that allow their activity, still they are working.

Meanwhile deputy head of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar people Nariman Jelal connected the incident with the fact that the cafe hosted iftar (evening meal during Ramadan fast) a day before. 

“The incident comes after local residents held iftar in the cafe, among them deputy head of Mejlis Ahtem Chiygoz. In spite of the fact there are plenty of items in Bakhchisaray and other cities of Crimea that prosecutor and police may be interested in”- Jelal explained.

 “I wonder if any gathering of Crimean Tatars will cause such a reaction of authorities.” - he said.

QHA