Yesterday, the First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Nariman Dzhelial, who was recently released from illegal Russian confinement, visited the Office of the Mission. This is a long-awaited event that the entire team of the Mission has been waiting for.

Nariman Dzhelial was illegally imprisoned by Russia and sentenced to 17 years in detention in 2021, immediately after returning to Crimea from Kyiv, where he had spoken at the Inaugural Summit of the Crimea Platform. That was the last time Nariman Dzhelial opened the Office of the Mission with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other state leaders before his unlawful arrest. After that, the occupiers falsely accused Nariman Dzhelial of alleged ” sabotage activities,” although he was persecuted for his pro-Ukrainian position, assistance to fellow citizens, struggle for the protection of human rights in occupied Crimea, as well as journalistic activities and coverage of the truth about the crimes of the occupiers.

The Permanent Representative Tamila Tasheva had a conversation with Nariman Dzhelial, who also signed two portraits with his picture. One of the portraits will be auctioned at a charity event, and the proceeds will support the needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The second painting will remain in the office of the Mission as a reminder that the struggle for the liberation of our people continues.

We thank Nariman Dzhelial for his visit and his resilience!