Crimean Tatar politician Nariman Dzhelal officially starts his mission in Turkey

Nariman Dzhelal, a Crimean Tatar politician and former political prisoner, officially began his mission as Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey. The Ambassador presented his credentials to President Erdogan.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Turkey Nariman Dzhelal said that he solemnly presented his credentials to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, officially marking the beginning of his diplomatic mission in Turkey.

According to Mr. Dzhelial, he officially acquired all the powers to work in Turkey as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine and expressed his gratitude for the very warm welcome and support.

I am confident that together with our Turkish friends we will continue to develop and strengthen the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Turkey for the benefit of our peoples in the name of peace and prosperity," the Ambassador emphasized.

Information about the ceremony was also confirmed on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree appointing Nariman Celal as Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey in May 2025, although the idea of his delegation was announced in December 2024.

PHOTO: T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı

Prior to that, he served as the First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and is known for his active position on the de-occupation of Crimea and the protection of the rights of Crimean Tatars.

In 2021, Russian security forces detained the Crimean Tatar politician in a trumped-up case of blowing up a gas pipeline in occupied Crimea. He spent more than two and a half years in harsh conditions.

PHOTO: T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı

The case against him and his brothers Asan and Aziz Akhtemov was opened in the fall of 2021. Initially, the diplomat appeared as a witness and was not mentioned in the investigation materials, but after the testimony of an anonymous witness, he was declared a suspect in the aiding and abetting. During his imprisonment, he was held in a special block of the Simferopol detention center under strict supervision with frequent searches, isolation and constant video surveillance.

The politician was released on June 28, 2024 as part of a prisoner exchange. Upon returning to Ukraine, Dzhelial announced his intention to continue the struggle for the release of other Ukrainian prisoners.

Анна Бальчінос