Chiygoz, deputy chair of Crimean Tatar Majilis, sentenced to 8 years for 2014 Simferopol disturbances
SIMFEROPOL. Sept 11 (Interfax) - The Crimean Supreme Court has sentenced Akhtem Chiygoz, deputy chair of the Crimean Tatar Majilis (banned in Russia), to eight years in a penitentiary for instigating mass disturbances at a Simferopol rally on February 26, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Crimea's reunification with Russia, an Interfax correspondent reported from the courtroom.
"The Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea has found Akhtem Chiygoz guilty of a crime [...] and sentenced him to eight years in a general penitentiary. The period defendant Akhtem Chiygoz has spent in custody, between January 29, 2015, and September 11, 2017, shall be included in his prison term," the judge said.
Chiygoz listened to the proclamation of the sentence from the detention facility via a video-link.
The square in front of the court building was cordoned off, a metal detector gate was installed, and police officers were put on protection detail, the correspondent said.