08 февраля 2021

Refat Chubarov is being tried in Crimea

Refat Chubarov is being tried in Crimea

Olga Kovitidi gave evidence in the Supreme Court of the Republic of Crimea on the trial case related to Head of the Mejlis* Refat Chubarov, who is accused of mass riots on 26 February 2014.

The date of 26 February 2014 was a very difficult day and we, deputies of the Supreme Council, actually some us could hardly enter (the building — editorial note) and the rest us were unable to get into the building of the Supreme Council. Those disturbances, which were mass ones at the square, resistance to the authorities — one person died as a result of such rioting. The situation was rather difficult and tense. It was a tragic day and crucial moment in history of Crimea. Everything was divided into the before and after on 26 February. There is a video recording, when Chubarov entered the building of the Supreme Council and claimed us to leave the hall and cease the session of the Supreme Council or otherwise the representatives of the Mejlis and “Pravyi Sektor” (the terrorist organization prohibited in the Russian Federation) would barge into the building of the Supreme Council and commit a reprisal over the deputies, who would try to hold the session. These events took place, I didn’t tell (in the court — editorial note) anything new. There is a video recording, we had a conversation and our quarrel also got on camera, when I asked Chubarov to come out of the hall and after that the activity increased, there was a stampede. I don’t make things up and Sergey Valeriyevich Aksyonov was in the middle of the crowd trying to calm the people, there was threat”, — Olga Kovitidi said.

She elaborated that there was an anxiety that the angry crowd would smash him.

It was happening before my eyes. The responsibility must be held by those individuals, who called people to come to the square. Thus, I strongly believe Chubarov is responsible for the events, which had occurred on 26 February. He got them to the square and thereby he had exposed them to danger”, — Olga Kovitidi added.


*The extremist organization prohibited in the Russian Federation.

Reference: KIA