Tag: crimea

How do you think, what is the most difficult to prove?

The president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin presented to the whole world his vision of the answer to this question. It appears the obvious things are the most incredible to prove.

All Russian actions aimed to break down the international law and stability in the world hide conveniently behind this Putin’s formula.

Let’s take illegal annexation of the Crimea. The Kremlin presented it as the Crimeans’ will and a return of the peninsula into the motherland’s fold: “Any violence! Fair referendum and point!” However, there are many proofs that it is nothing, but the armed occupation of the other state’s territory. “Prove it!” – Putin is mocking.

Another example – unleashing of armed conflict in Donbass and creation of the so-called DPR/LPR separatist entities. Everything is obvious, once again. There is a set of evidences of direct Russian military aggression and presence of the Russian servicemen there. The Kremlin says: “We are not present there. Prove it… Only miners and peasants are at war with the Ukrainian junta, using equipment and arms which they bought via the Internet in the world Army Surplus…”

What about civil Boeing? Who did shoot down it? Anyone, beginning from drunk Ukrainians and finishing by aliens, but only “not us”. Although, the obvious facts will become a trial subject with the obvious verdict soon.

Apparently, using of the chemical weapon in the Great Britain is evident! We can hear again: “It’s not us. Prove it…”

What are we dealing with? The Free World put up with it. Sanctions have been declared for conscience’s sake. Nevertheless, cooperation with the aggressor continues: Northern and Turkish Streams are being built; Mr. Putin is being received as an honorable guest at weddings and festive events, orban, zeman, salvini dote on Putin.

Finally, there is a new fact of the Kremlin’s aggression against the sovereign state. Having annexed the Crimea, thanks to the constructions of Kerch Straight Bridge (besides illegal), Putin cynically realizes the project of the Azov Sea blockade. Naval Forces of Russia carried out a naked military action against the Ukrainian ships to receive a formal reason for full closing of the Kerch Strait and blockade of the Ukrainian ports on the Azov Sea.

Everything is extremely obvious! This time things have gone far enough and presented a risk of a direct military clash with Ukraine with unpredictable consequences. Dear Sirs in Brussels, Bonn, Paris and Washington, is it obvious for you now that you should react rigidly to this accident up to rendering effective military support to Ukraine?

Or do you still need any more evidence else?!

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According to art. 55, 56, 59, 60 of the Convention relative to the protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, maintenance of occupied territories is an obligation of the occupying party. As the Crimea was illegally annexed by Russia in spring 2014, responsibility for an ecological situation is the Russian obligation.

Let’s briefly run back over chronology of events. In the north of the Crimea, in the city of Armyansk there is the biggest plant in Eastern Europe on production of titanic products – Ukrainian Chemical Products better known as “Crimean Titan” owned by the Ukrainian oligarch Dmitry Firtash who is currently taking shelter in Austria from extradition to the USA. Notwithstanding occupation and sanctions, the plant continues its work, receiving raw materials through shell companies and carriers. A process of titan production is followed with a large number of dangerous chemical wastes used to be unloaded in special precipitation tanks nearby the plant. For neutralization of their negative impact on environment, they were filled in with a large amount of fresh water received from the North Crimean channel. After occupation in 2014, the Ukrainian authorities used their legitimate right, blocked the channel, thus depriving the Crimea of water from Dnieper. In consequence the management of the enterprise and officials had to cover requirements of water, using local resources: small reservoirs of rain water and artesian wells. But they were quickly exhausted, and the summer of 2018 was hot, that caused accident.

On the night of August 24 there was an emission of harmful substances about what locals reported. Metal subjects were covered with unclear oxidation, trees started perishing, in air there was an unpleasant chemical smell. The local occupational administration tried to hide this event, having neutralized emission consequences by filling up of settling tank with soda. But the factor of high temperature of air was not considered, and as a result the situation was aggravated. In vicinities of the plant and in the city death cases from suffocation of birds and small animals (rodents, domestic cats) were reported. It was also reported about death of people, but there is no reliable information on it. Nearly two weeks later (on September 4), the Russian officials declared the beginning of partial evacuation of the population, so far only children, from Armyansk and neighboring villages. But the central Russian TV channels keep silence over technogeneous accident. Though the Russian authorities got used to hide such information as it was with emission of a radioactive element ruthenium-106 at the end of 2017 in Chelyabinsk, in the south of the Urals. The fact of the emission is confirmed by measurements carried out in Germany and France.

However, let’s talk about the Crimean case. There is an opinion that accident was deliberately provoked to force Ukraine to resume supply of water to the peninsula. Even the Ukrainian border service stated poisoning of its several employees who are on duty on border with occupied territories. However, the similar version looks very far-fetched. It is much more probable that the human factor is the main cause of the accident: habitual for Russians ” trusting to luck ” and postponement of the solution of small problems as a result lead to such deplorable consequences. And after all this situation is not simply environmental disaster for Ukraine and Russia, but for the whole Black Sea region, even for Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. The cloud of chemicals does not care of geopolitics and nationalities, and the poisoned rainfall depends on the wind. It is worth remembering the tragedy in Chernobyl – accident happened in the USSR, but all Europe suffered. Here the situation is very similar.

Russia once again confirmed its inability to maintain the occupied territories. After all the plant where this tragedy happened is not the only potentially dangerous undertaking in the Crimea. Also it should be taken into account that for the last 4 years Russia has provided the peninsula with the weapon, including nuclear. And the only exit from the current situation – a full and unconditional deoccupation of the Crimea. Only this way is a possible resolution of all those problems.

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The hypocrisy is taking over in the West: the aggressor state’s president Putin (which is waging propaganda war against the Western world) has managed to break international isolation. The number of Kremlin’s friends is increasing in the West.

The West is tired of confrontation with Putin: each time sanctions are prolonged forcedly, but Moscow has accommodated itself to such situation and does not face any serious problems because of restrictive measures.

However, since the annexation of Crimea, the West policy has never been coherent. Now, after the split of the West and after the election of American president who is afraid of Putin, the latter is using the situation for promotion of his own imperial ambitions.

The West was not split by itself, but the Russian president-aggressor did it: one part of western establishment condemns him, another part considers him as a strong leader whose public image is under pressure of Europeans. It was greatly contributed by the “successful” football championship in June. Putin has managed to create an illusion of freedom at the European guests. In fact, while fans were celebrating the victory of their teams, many imprisoners were being tortured and raped in Russian prisons. The great example of the “Russian Themis” is Oleg Sentsov, whose fate remains an important item of agenda for the whole world.

Putin has used vulnerabilities of Europe, i.e., anti-American tendencies and right populist sentiments caused by refugees’ crisis aggravation. Such mentality makes basis of Russians’ perception of the world. Medias, fully controlled by Kremlin, spread these messages via news and talk shows. The average Russian is often homophobe and racist, and is completely incompetent in the field of foreign policy and democratic values and therefore is completely loyal to the “leader”.

Putin’s strategy to deny permanently his participation in military campaigns, including Ukraine, and support of dictatorships around the world has achieved its goals. The discredit of “the world policeman”, the USA, under Trump’s ruling has contributed the same mission. The latter has proved to be unable to confront Putin and is inclining to support him. The fear that once Putin will confirm Russian intervention in presidential elections and its influence over the result – Trump’s victory – is too deep. Such scenario may cause loss of confidence of the US citizens and weaken Trump’s position inside the country. Therefore, Trump is on tenterhooks.

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We all know that people’s rights are one of the principles of modern world, its prominent value. That is freedom of speech and freedom of faith.

Before the annexation of Crimea and Russian military aggression against Ukraine we could believe that these principles are shared by all countries, which are the UN members.

But Russia has declined these principles so easily, trying to make Ukraine stay in the sphere of its influence. Nowadays, we can see everyday violations of basic human rights in occupied Crimea and in the particular territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which are under control of Russian militaries.

The story of pro-Ukrainian activist Vladimir Baluh is just the great example of it. Russian officials blamed him for his Ukrainian citizenship and for hanging out the Ukrainian flag at his private land.

Russia justifies the aggression against Ukraine as the defense of Russian-speaking population in this country. It blames Ukraine for violation of these rights, but it can never grant Ukrainians in Crimea with the same rights!

Civilized people can hardly understand this logic, but the truth is that Ukrainian citizen V. Baluh is under arrest and stays in Russian jail just because of his political position. Russian Themis is truly blind! Russian official authorities, who misappropriated billions of dollars, can easily be grounded, while Ukrainian for hanging the Ukrainian flag in Crimea has already got 3 years and 7 months of prison.

Even actual Russian law has no ban for hanging out flag of other state at the private territory. But Federal Security Service officials have found the way out, providing a search without witnesses in Baluh’s home which had great result. Gun cartridges were found and that was the reason to arrest Baluh and to sentence him to 3 years and 7 months due to Art. #222 of RF Criminal Code.

It is quite remarkable that Federal Security Service officers, who provided search in Baluh’s home, had no time to come to courtroom to be testified. They probably had enough reasons to skip court hearings, to be free of tough questions prepared by Baluh’s attorney. Nevertheless testimony of officers who provide search and carry out arrest is obligatory according to Russian law. So this situation discredits nature of the judicial process.

Maybe the wide international response caused such soft penalty for Baluh, but it proves that Russian authorities are afraid of Ukrainian flag in the Crimea, as it is the reminder that Crimea is Ukrainian territory. And repressions are the tools that Russia can use against the truth.

In his last plea, Baluh said that no matter of the verdict, he will never be ashamed of his children. His prosecutors can hardly say the same.

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Despite recent scandal with its turbines deployed in violently Russia annexed Crimea, German company Siemens AG plans to develop cooperation with the country, which goes on killing civilians on other countries territories.

The range of Siemens AG business interests in Russia is quite wide: in addition to turbines, the company produces electric freight locomotives Sinara and Granit, electric trains Desiro, supplies Germany-manufactured trains Sapsan to monopolist Russian Railways.

Along with that, despite official declarations of CEO Joe Kaeser on toughening of company’s activity control, it became known that Siemens AG has intentions to take part in modernization of Crimean railroad infrastructure by providing operation of Desiro Premium trains, developed and manufactured jointly with Ural Locomotives JSC, through the territory of Russia occupied peninsula.

In the given context, it is of a great interest to recall that German company signed in 2017 a contract on manufacturing of electric trains Desiro with Russian Federal Passanger Company, which is, as well as Russian Railways, under international sanctions.

In other words, participation of Siemens AG in organization of high-speed service between Russia and Crimea makes German company an accomplice in Kremlin criminal schemes, throwing a shadow on Germany as a state, which international positions become more and more vulnerable.

Should we expect Siemens authorities to really change company’s policy and turn its efforts back to civilized course?

In search of answer we can address to investigation by Suddeutsche Zeitung journalists who found out that to conclude lucrative contracts Siemens AG spends billions of dollars every year to buy “the right” businessmen and politics. And as long as German leadership keeps overlooking Siemens AG backstairs policy, we can assume that a part of this black cash settles down in their pockets.

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On April 19-21, 2018, Crimea will host the Forth Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF-2018). The forthcoming event was preceded by extensive agitational promotional campaign both in Russian and foreign political and business circles. This event is actively boosted by the Russian and Crimean authorities. Russian media diligently report increased interest to the discussion of topical political and economic problems of the international importance within this platform, growing audience of a forum from year to year which is evidenced by the positive statistics: the first forum was visited by 600 delegates, the second hosted 1100, and the third was allegedly visited by more than 2200 people, including 250 foreign participants from 46 countries of the world.

Today Russian and Crimea media triumphantly announce more than 3000 participants including more than 500 foreign guests from 60 countries to visit forum this year. Among them politicians, representatives of business and expert community from all around the world are expected. Fancy that! The Yalta Forum is represented as ‘one of the largest business events in the economic life among the four similar events, organized in Russia’.

Well, what are the results of previous forums? As a matter of a fact, there is nothing. Majority of previously approved projects have not even started, many investors folded their activity in Crimea on the whole. Hardly any representative of big business visited last year Yalta Forum. However, following the forum outcomes, it was declared that the authorities succeeded to sign series of the documents ‘with very significant and influential investors’, for example:

– agreement between the “Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea” and the “Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Abkhazia” on trade and economic, scientific, technical and humanitarian cooperation;

– agreement between the “Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of Crimea” and the “Ministry of Economic Development of Abkhazia”;

– agreement between the cities of Gagra and Yalta;

– agreement between the KSK Group and administration of Yalta city for the implementation of “the investment project”(!) on construction of an apartment complex;

– agreement between the KSK Group and administration of Alushta city for the implementation of the “Construction of Apartment Complex ‘Sea Quarter’ in Alushta” project;

– agreement with the Russian investors on development of the Simferopol airport.

For sure, entering into “investment agreements” with Abkhazia breakaway region confirms “high” interest of foreign business to invest in Crimea. And signing of the “agreements” on construction of high-rise building looks like an attempt of the Forum promoters to cover the investment nudity with ‘a fig leaf’ in the form of “grand” construction plans of “Sea Quarter” apartment complex. Indeed, the mountain has brought forth a mouse!

Well, following the outcomes of previous “economic” forums held in Yalta it may be concluded that this event is rather political than economic. Its organizers pursue the only goal – to prove that Europe has recognized the Russian status of Crimea. By holding such events on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Russia expects that involvement of foreigners and massive information campaign will show to European community, international organizations and primarily United Nations General Assembly the need of lifting sanctions and resolutions condemning Russia’s actions on Crimea. According to Moscow’s intention, it should promote legalization of illegal actions of Russian Federation on the peninsula and blenching their image. Generally, the message is as follows – legality of Crimea annexation by Russian Federation.

In this regard pro-Russian media actively promote ‘fearlessness’ of some deputies of the European parliament and representatives of marginal parties receiving financial sops from Moscow, parliaments of some European states (Germany and Austria in particular) which are going to participate in “forum” despite of the sanctions with regard to Crimea. However, this is the case of greed and foolishness rather than fearlessness. Only well motivated persons can hazard their reputation attending such event and breaking the laws of other state. It is common known that entrance and departure of foreign citizens as a part of official delegations or in their private capacity on the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea are gross violations of international law. Such actions contravene the United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 68/262 confirming territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as the Law of Ukraine “On ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens and a legal regime within the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine”, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 68/262 of June 4, 2015 No. 367 “On the approval of the procedure for entering and exit from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine”.

Ukraine has repeatedly declared that they treat such violations as unfriendly gesture from politicians, officials and citizens of the foreign states which thus not only support violation of territorial integrity of Ukraine by Russian Federation but also encourage Moscow to the further aggressive and hostile actions contradicting international law and destroying the international security system. Ukraine declares intention to deliver international assignments to the states, which nationals participated in the illegal forum.

As for the intention of some businessmen to arrange business in occupied Crimea attending the forum in Yalta it is possible to speak about the highest manifestation of foolishness from their side. The European Union and the USA forbade implementation of new joint projects, investment, granting loans, acquisition of infrastructure facilities in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in telecommunication, energy, transport and tourism areas. Regulation authorities of the EU Member States perform continuous monitoring of execution of restrictive instructions by European entities. Those who violate sanction regime may be subjects to criminal sanctions in the form of real term of imprisonment and imposition of a heavy financial penalty.

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It was initially known that elections of the President of Russia in the Crimea amid determination of a great part of the world not to recognize its annexation was quite a problematic and painful point for the Russian government in the context of recognition of legitimacy of these elections. Considering neither of these states and acknowledged international public organizations will officially send their observers to the Crimea, Russia resorted to hybrid alternative with the invitation of pseudo-observers in the Crimea to monitor this event. Such observers were persons hand picked by the competent Russian authorities and entrusted to play a role of the international observers to monitor the elections of the President of the Russian Federation in the Crimea.

Thus, for the purpose of monitoring the elections Russia has organized the visit of “the international delegation” to the Crimea, which united the citizens of more than 20 countries of the world – France, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Israel, Ukraine, Germany, Norway, Cyprus, Greece, Denmark, Great Britain, Pakistan, Venezuela, Italy, Lebanon, Austria, Malaysia, Latvia, Afghanistan.

“The international observers” were accompanied by representatives of the Russian Federation who showed them designed and prepared in advance election districts. Foreign guests visited 10 districts in Simferopol, Sevastopol, Yalta, Alushta, Bakhchisarai. At the same time in order to avoid abnormal situations the so-called observers were not admitted to the districts in sore points of the state where Crimean Tatars reside.

Those above-mentioned foreign citizens who feel sympathy for Kremlin policy and played a role of the international observers were:

Johan Bäckman – a citizen of Finland, a member of the Association of Friendship between Russia and Finland, the head of the “Antifascist Committee of Finland”, the representative of the so-called “DNR” in Finland;

Daria Skippari-Smirnova – a citizen of Finland, head of the Association of Friendship between Russia and Finland;

Thierry Mariani – a citizen of France, a deputy of the National Assembly of France, a representative of the Association Dialogue Franco-Russe;

Andreas Maurer – a citizen of Germany, head of the organization “People’s Diplomacy” in Germany;

Hendrik Weber – a citizen of Norway, head of the organization “People’s Diplomacy” in Norway;

Mette Rosenlund – a citizen of Norway, the wife of Hendrik Weber. Journalist;

Marco Marsili – a citizen of Italy, an associate of the Portuguese Center for International Studies;

Skue Kutra-Kukuma – a citizen of Cyprus, a member of the Cyprus Parliament;

Kline Preston – a citizen of the USA, head of the NGO Institute for Progress Through Law;

Elhas Tamim Mohammad – a citizen of Afghanistan, leader of the Afghan youth movement;

Ulf Grönlund – a citizen of Sweden, former head of the parish of St. Catherine in St. Petersburg;

Hollender Lars Bjoerndau – a citizen of Denmark, a former member of the OSCE missions;

Jacques Miyar – a citizen of France, mayor of the city of Meson-Laffitte;

Jerome Lambert – a citizen of France, a member of the Socialist Party, nephew of former French President François Mitterrand;

Vanya Dobreva – a citizen of Bulgaria, former Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Bulgaria;

Alexander Grönlund – a citizen of Sweden;

Maria Olshanskaya – a citizen of Israel;

Tatyana Mele – a citizen of Ukraine;

Elias Demetriou – a citizen of Cyprus;

Valdemgaberi Stefano – a citizen of Italy;

Selvarezh Neskhan – a citizen of Malaysia;

Daniel Christopher Valander – a citizen of Sweden;

Eyme Bernard Ulrich – a citizen of Germany;

Roma Monfa Narcissus – a citizen of Spain;

Diego Gulen Perez – a citizen of Spain;

Muhamed Al-Hamali – a citizen of Great Britain;

Diana Lutsker – a citizen of Israel;

Sophocles Jani Sophocli – a citizen of Cyprus;

Eero Hult – a citizen of Finland;

Gilbert Doktorov – a citizen of the USA;

Dragan Gifkovich – a citizen of Serbia;

Alexander Gaponenko – a citizen of Latvia.

Peculiar attention should be paid to the fact that the visit of representatives of the German pro-Russian party “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) took place separately being organized by the Deputy Committee for Interethnic Relations the so-called “The State Council of Crimea”, the leader of the German diaspora of Crimea Mr. Hempel. The following AfD representatives visited the Crimea as “international observers” for the presidential elections in the Russian Federation:

Garold Latch – deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Berlin;

Roger Bekamp – deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Eugen Schmidt – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia, head of the organization “Russian Germans for AfD”;

Nick Fogel – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Helmut Seifer – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Georg Pazdersky – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Berlin, a member of the AfD Presidium;

Güner Lindeman – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Berlin;

Hoog Bronson – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Berlin;

Rainer Balzer – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Baden-Württemberg;

Thomas Rekemann – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia;

Markus Fronmaier – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Baden-Württemberg, leader of the youth wing of AfD;

Sven Tritschler – a deputy of the Landtag of the federal state of Nord-Rhine-Westphalia.

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Strange though it may seem, Russia, which quite recently has attempted to present itself as civilized state and furthermore pretends to be one of the international leaders, may be capable of blatant violations of international arrangements and provisions of international law (unlawful Crimea annexation), and may even neglect inconditional human right for freedom of speech and belief both on their territory and within grabbed Ukrainian Crimea. Though last century Russia abode horror of Stalin’s purges, it comes back to totalitarian regime today which persecutes people for political beliefs.

The brightest example is the fate of Crimean resident Vladimir Balukh. In 2014, after Crimea occupation, the life of an ordinary farmer has drastically changed. Overt condemnation of aggression by him and support of Ukraine got on nervous of the new authorities. Initially Vladimir Balukh refused flatly from changing the Ukrainian ID for the Russian one. Though Russia enshrined the criminal responsibility for declarations of Crimea as non-Russian territory at legislative level, Balukh claimed he disregarded present authorities and still considered Crimean peninsula Ukrainian. In support of his citizenship he hoisted the Ukrainian flag in front of his house and denied any request of the local authorities to remove it. Policemen repeatedly interviewed him and strongly encouraged the neighbours to suspend their relations with Balukh, in the face of becoming ‘politically unreliable’. Agents of the security services threatened Balukh with reprisals to force him to change his position or leave Crimea. He received a clear message that he would face a prison sentence in Crimea for his pro-Ukrainian position.

However, the Crimean was not broken down neither by convictions, nor by threats, therefore, the authorities have been seeking more and more causes for his arrest and accusation in nonexistent crimes. After the meeting of the speaker of the Crimean parliament with public where Vladimir Balukh attempted to put some questions to the official, the Ukrainian was arrested and a criminal case was initiated against him under Art. 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation for ‘disobedience to the legitimate order of the police officer’, followed by the 3-days arrest and a fine.

Since this measure produced no proper effect on Balukh, another, more serious accusation, was not long in coming: in theft (…of tractor repair parts) (Art. 157 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Balukh’s home was searched and policemen managed to remove the Ukrainian flag. However, his involvement into the theft of tractor repair parts was not proved. To this end, police intentionally paid a night visit. As Balukh expressed the investigator his resentment, the new proceeding under Art. 319 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation was initiated for the ‘offence against the public authority’, followed by the arrest for 40 days.

After a while, in December 2016, Balukh hanged on Ukrainian flag on his house over again and attached a sign with an inscription “Heroes of Divine Sotnia Street” (in commemoration of the heroes fell during the Dignity Revolution in 2014 in Kiev). Requirements of the authorities to remove the sign and the flag were met by a peremptory refusal. Therefore, on December 8, 2016 Vladimir Balukh was newly arrested on a contrived accusation in illegal keeping of weapon (Arts. 222-222.1 of the CC RF) and placed in Razdolnenskyi detention facility. Officers of the FSS (FSB) reported 90 cartridges and several trotyl block found in his house.

Balukh’s neighbours also share the opinion about contrivedness of the accusations and explosive planted in the Ukrainian’s house, as they have seen unknowns who entered it few hours prior to search. Actually, no fingerprints of the accused were detected on the cartridges and explosive.

In August, 2017 the court passed a sentence upon the Ukrainian activist – 3 years 7 months in standard regime penal colony and a fine amounting to RUB 10 thousand. After Balukh filed an appeal, the case was submitted to the new trial.

The guilt of Vladimir Balukh was not proved, however, he has spent a year in detention centre (SIZO), though attorneys insisted on arrest in quarters due to severe health deterioration of their client. Nevertheless the court refused in changing the measure of restraint even after Balukh was taken from the court room by the ambulance. Only on December 1, 2017 Razdolnenskiy district court changed the measure of restraint to arrest in quarters for 2 months.

However, on December 6, 2017 Ukrainian activist was brought a new charge. This time Russian security officials incriminated him ‘disorganization of operation of detention centres’ for asserted blow of the SIZO official in the cell during Balukh’s examination. Balukh’s case was submitted for the new trial. Prosecution claimed 5 years and 1 month of penal colony settlement for him with a money penalty amounting to RUB 20 thousand. The court satisfied it in part: on January 16, 2018 Razdolnenskiy district court convicted Ukrainian activist Vladimir Balukh to 3 years and 7 months of penal colony settlement and a money penalty amounting to RUB 10 thousand on a charge of ammunition storage.

In his final speech, Ukrainian activist stated that a case against him is framed up due to his political position, however, even such imposed sentence could not force him to love ‘the new Motherland’, as according to him, ‘living on the knees is far worse than dying standing upright.’

As long as such patriots, as Vladimir Balukh, live in Crimea, Russia has no chances to appropriate the stolen peninsula. Still there are a lot of them. Despite of the cruelest pressure, Balukh has not renounced Ukrainian citizenship and defends his principled civil position by all available peaceful means, making a clear statement that Crimea is a territory of Ukraine under international law. For many Crimeans Vladimir Balukh became an example of dignity, courage and dedication to his Motherland. That is why Russian authorities are afraid of and eliminate them.

Today Balukh’s home folks and civil activists help his old mother, raise funds for penalty payment and fight for his release.

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Having captured Ukrainian Crimea, Russia accomplished its century dream – to gain control over sea channels and, in fact, full control over Black Sea. The most powerful fleet among Black Sea countries – the Turkish one – lost its weight at once. Killing zone of missiles launched from Crimean ground fully “seals” the channels, turning Black Sea into Russian internal lake. Only one move left for Russia to gain full domination on the occupied territory – homeland for Muslims and Crimean Tatars – to subdue native people, to break their faith, to trample their honor and dignity.

Moscow always persecuted our brothers in faith in Chechnya, now it does the same in Crimea and Syria, where it tears apart Turkmen Muslims. Putin is a pro in flagellating whole nations as criminals. Once he already spinned this method on Chechens: if you are Chechen – you are criminal. Now, after peninsula annexation, Putin took on Crimean Tatars, who denied him love and loyalty. He left-handedly uses nice words as “depoliticization of Crimean Tatar People” to conceal his doings. He does it step-by-step. First, all efforts was directed towards termination of national leaders in Quriltai-Mejlis system. As all attempts to force Mustapha Dzhemilev and Mejlis Head Refat Chubarov to switch sides failed, they simply were denied to enter Crimea. Being unable to crush in prison the will of Mejlis Head deputies Ilmi Umerov and Akhtem Chyigoz, occupants freed them under pressure of international community and thanks to personal efforts of Turkish president, and also exiled them from Crimea.

Of course, Kremlin would like all Tatars to leave. However, they did not. Then aggressors started the next phase – to oust all who do not fall within “depoliticized” term. Those are clerisy, public and religious figures, lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists. To turn the trick they use both devious methods – they close schools and classes with Crimean Tatar language of study, liquidate Crimean Tatar linguistic faculty in Simferopol University, put pressure on Crimean Tatar channel on Crimean TV – and rude ones – bullying, beating, repressions, prosecution under false charges, pressure on relatives. It has to be said that occupation authorities and their local proxies succeeded in this. Now they want to finally frighten those, who remained. That is the third phase of so-called “depoliticization”.

Namely, very dangerous phenomenon can be observed on this phase: after politics (prohibition of Mejlis), the whip is used on religion. All Muslims of Crimea, the majority of who are Tatars, undergo repressions, which already became of mass character. The occupants do not even bother to look for evidences – one religious book from “forbidden list” is enough to become “extremist” and to be imprisoned. If political processes in Crimea are used to give a fright, then prosecution for faith – is a far more serious thing. All in all, political preferences can be different. However, when the issue is about ethnicity or faith – it is a low blow, because now any Muslim or Crimean Tatar can be named “extremist” or “terrorist”.

Crimean Tatars could not leave these actions by Russian authorities without response. On October 14, more than 100 people went to the roadsides to protest against police abuse and groundless accusations of Crimean Muslims in terrorism and extremism. “We are not terrorists! Our children are not terrorists!” – read the signs held by young and old people, who are tired to live in constant fear and waiting for Kremlin’s powerbrokers. According to Russian legislation, one-man protest is not forbidden. However, this did not stop “police” and gray men from arresting several dozens of people.

Very emotional, but absolutely just and clearly reflecting the situation in Crimea was the address to Russian president by mother of arrested Abdullaiyev brothers – Diyara Abdullaiyeva: “Stop this violation, humiliation of our people. What are you getting at? Everybody knows – there are no terrorists in Crimea, no such organizations. All organizations are fake, criminal cases and sentences are cooked up. If it is not 1937, our vision is that Crimean Tatars, Muslims are simply put away in such a manner. They can be accused, they can be eliminated, if you are Muslim – you are terrorist. Closed court hearings violate the principles of publicity. It means that they are afraid of truth. We demand to stop persecution of Muslims, to stop repressions of Crimean Tatars, to free Muslims from jails”. Hardly anything could be added to these words.

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