On March 02, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko granted the Golden Star of the Hero of Ukraine to the brother of the deceased.
“Reshat is a man who did not imagine life without the Ukrainian Crimea and did not imagine life without freedom. A man who could not be broken and to overcome his resistance, these criminals, these terrorists decided to kill him,” the President said, reminding that “exactly four years ago the relatives saw Reshat for the last time when he went to the recruitment office to join the ranks of volunteers and defend the Ukrainian land”. The President stressed that it is a high honor to him to present the award to brother of the deceased Hero Refat Ametov and assured that his fear will not be forgotten. “We will do everything to bring Crimea back to Ukraine as soon as possible,” he said.
In turn, brother of the Hero Refat Ametov thanked the President for the award and said that his brother was always proud to be Ukrainian. “Please, Mr. President, find the murderers of my brother and punish them. I am grateful that in 2014 you was one of the first to praise the feat of Reshat. It was very important,” Refat Ametov noted and thanked all Ukrainians who helped children of Reshat. The President emphasized that the Ukrainian authorities did everything to find the murderers. He noted that there were two sides – trial of traitor Yanukovych and international trial of Russia.
Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Akhtem Chiygoz appealed to the President: “Our people rely on our country Ukraine. And their pin special hopes on You – the new President of the new Ukraine”. He stressed that the Crimean Tatar People perceive the words and activities of the Head of State very sensitively. “It inspires to fight. I know we will be in prisons. Unfortunately, we will die. But we know why we are doing this,” Akhtem Chiygoz said and added: “We stand for a common future”.
“The most important mission for our people is assigned to You – this is a national territorial autonomy. And be sure – You will remain in the memory of our People as a fighter for the independence of Ukraine and as a fighter for our People. You said from the high platform in America that you are Crimean Tatar. And our People will never forget that,” he said to Petro Poroshenko.
The Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis also thanked President for the highest state award to Refat Ametov. The President expressed his conviction that “Ukraine would have long been to make the national Autonomy of the Crimean Tatar People in Crimea.” “The situation may have developed differently,” he added.