Ukraine Pres.: Leading Crimean Tatar figures released

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Leading Crimean Tatar figures Ulmi Umerov and Akhtem Chyigoz were released from jail on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced.

"We are glad to hear that Akhtem Chyigoz and Ulmi Umerov are finally at liberty," Poroshenko said on his Twitter account.

Umerov, deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis -- a representative body -- and Deputy Mejlis Chair Chyigoz were jailed on Sept. 27 and 11, respectively after being convicted by a Russian court in Crimea for charges of "separatism". Umerov was sentenced to two years in prison, while Chyigoz got eight years.

"Thank you to the President of the Republic of Turkey @RT_Erdogan for his efforts to free our heroes, as we have agreed in New York and Kiev," Poroshenko said.

Ukraine's struggle for the liberation of all Ukrainian citizens will continue, he added.

Mustafa Abduldzhemil Dzhemilev Kirimoglu, a former Ukrainian lawmaker and head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, said Umerov and Chyigoz were sent to Turkish capital Ankara, according to the Crimean News Agency on Wednesday.

Kirimoglu said the release became possible due to the agreements reached during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Ukraine visit on Oct. 9.

Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since March 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea after an illegal independence vote.

The UN General Assembly voted to proclaim the Russian annexation illegal.

Along with many UN countries, the U.S., the EU and Turkey also do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.

Since the annexation of Crimea, the region’s Tatar minority has complained of repression, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.