Prisoners as weapons: Russia keeps Crimean Tatars as hostages of resistance

During prisoner exchanges, Russia is most resistant to the return of Azov fighters, journalists, and Crimean Tatars. The latter category is considered particularly undesirable because, according to the occupiers, the release of Crimean Tatars strengthens resistance in Crimea.

This was stated by the leader of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Dzhemilev in a comment to Ukrinform on the sidelines of the OIC Foreign Ministers' Council summit in Istanbul.

"They do not want to release the Crimean Tatars, because, according to the occupiers, it inspires the people of Crimea to resist the occupiers, because Ukraine will save them," Dzhemilev said.

According to him, every release of Crimean Tatar political prisoners is a complicated and lengthy process. He cited the example of Nariman Dzhelal: "President Erdogan called Putin in my presence with a request to release Dzhelal. Putin promised to consider it, but nothing changed for three years. Then the Russians wanted to exchange him for 60 of their soldiers."

Commenting on possible negotiations in Istanbul, Dzhemilev said that the dialogue will be effective only if the Russians give up unrealistic demands, such as the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the unoccupied territories and the recognition of pseudo-referendums.

He also added that the dismissive tone of the Russian negotiators should not be taken seriously - such arrogance has already been shown, but it has not worked, as well as the promise to "take Kyiv in three days."

The statement also said that Russia had turned Crimea into a military foothold for a full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Further militarization of the peninsula poses a threat to the entire Black Sea region. The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people called on the participants of the OIC Foreign Ministers' Council session to help restore Ukraine's territorial integrity, strengthen its support and pressure on Russia as an aggressor state.

Анна Бальчінос