Ukrainian MFA wishes happy birthday to political prisoner in Crimea
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine wished Happy Birthday to Mustafa Degermendzhi, one of the defendants in the “case of February 26th.” He is currently held in custody in the Simferopol Remand (SIZO).
"In a Crimean prison, Mustafa Degermendzhi celebrates his birthday. We wish durability. The truth will prevail," the Press Secretary of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Marian Betz, tweeted.
Mustafa Degermendzhi was detained on the 7th of May, 2015. On April 29th, 2016, the Kiev District Court of Simferopol extended his detention to July 31, 2016.
After the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the Crimean Tatar activists began to be tried on the Peninsula. According to statements, they took part in the meeting of the supporters of Ukraine's territorial integrity who were also opposed to the party "Russian Unity", which at the time was led by the current Head of Crimea, Sergey Aksenov.
The incident took place on the 26th of February, 2014. According to Russian investigators, due to the resulting stampede two protesters were killed and 79 people were injured. The defendants in the case were Ali Asanov, Mustafa Degermendzhi and the Deputy Head of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Ahtem Chiygoz.
In February 2016, the Russian Supreme Court of the Crimea decided that the case merited further investigation.