Turkey celebrates the release of Nariman Celal, Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, in a recent prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed its joy over Celal’s release, who was detained by Russian forces in Crimea in September 2021 after participating in the Crimean Platform summit in August.
The Ministry thanked all parties involved in the release of Celal and urged for the immediate release of other imprisoned Crimean Tatars like Asan Ahmetov and Aziz Ahmetov. Turkey stands prepared to provide any support necessary to expedite the release of these individuals.
In a controversial move, Russian intelligence accused the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Intelligence and the Crimean Tatar Mejlis of organizing a sabotage operation in Simferopol in August 2021. Despite the political tensions, the release of Nariman Celal brings hope for the freedom of other imprisoned Crimean Tatars.