Russia Recognizes Ukrainian Citizenship of Dzhemilev Junior

Russia has recognized the Ukrainian citizenship of Hayser Dzhemilev, son of the Ukrainian MP and leader of the Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Dzhemilev, who was taken to Russia, convicted and imprisoned. The relevant letter of Russia’s Interior Ministry was published by Hayser’s attorney Mykola Polozov on his Facebook page.

"The two-year story of attempted imposition of Russian citizenship to Hayser ends with our flawless victory," Polozov highlighted. In particular, the Interior Ministry explained that Dzhemilev-Jr cannot be a Russian citizen, because as of March 14, 2014, he was not permanently residing in Crimea and never applied for Russian citizenship.

According to Polozov, this document will ‘considerably affect the consideration of this case in the European Court of Human Rights.’ He also told that Russia has been maliciously avoiding implementing the ECtHR decision on returning Hayser Dzhemilev to Ukraine for almost two years.

Dzhemilev-Jr submitted a personal claim against Russia to the ECtHR in 2015.

After the annexation, Russian authorities decided to re-investigate his case. He was taken to Krasnodar Kray from Simferopol pre-trial detention center (SIZO). The Supreme Court of Russia sentenced him to 3.5 years.

Hayser Dzhemilev is imprisoned in Astrakhan Colony # 10. On July 10, 2015, the ECtHR ruled to release Dzhemilev-Jr, but Russia ignored this decision.

Hayser has repeatedly submitted applications on refusal of Russian citizenship.

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda