Ukrainian lawmaker says Russia oppressing Crimean Turks

KIEV, Ukraine

Russia has been persecuting Turks living in Crimea since the downing of a Russian warplane, a Ukrainian lawmaker said Tuesday.

“Russia has initiated wild anti-Turkism,” Mustafa Dzhemilev said. “It is putting families of Turkish marriages in Crimea into exile and oppressing businessmen.”

Dzhemilev claimed that Moscow had accused more than 500 students who had studied in Turkey of working for Turkish intelligence.

Turkey brought down a Russian warplane on the Turkey-Syria border on Nov. 24 after it violated Turkish airspace despite repeated warnings.

Dzhemilev called on the international community to continue its sanctions on Russia. “This issue should be solved in a democratic and diplomatic way... We hope the sanctions on Russia will yield results,” he said.

Crimea was annexed by Russia in a March 2014 referendum condemned by the international community and the Ukrainian government.

KIEV, Ukraine

Russia has been persecuting Turks living in Crimea since the downing of a Russian warplane, a Ukrainian lawmaker said Tuesday.

“Russia has initiated wild anti-Turkism,” Mustafa Dzhemilev said. “It is putting families of Turkish marriages in Crimea into exile and oppressing businessmen.”

Dzhemilev claimed that Moscow had accused more than 500 students who had studied in Turkey of working for Turkish intelligence.

Turkey brought down a Russian warplane on the Turkey-Syria border on Nov. 24 after it violated Turkish airspace despite repeated warnings.

Crimea was annexed by Russia in a March 2014 referendum condemned by the international community and the Ukrainian government.