Mejlis Leader Considers Radical Pro-Russian Organizations Greater Danger in Crimea

In an interview to glavcom.ua, a Ukrainian deputy and leader of the Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Dzhemiliev, commented on the situation with radical Islamic organizations in the Crimea. He noted that despite the fact that such movements exist, they do not pose a threat about which various mass media write increasingly often.

According to the deputy, "the increase of the influence of these organizations to a considerable extent was facilitated also by the authorities not in order to strengthen the extremists but to weaken the national movement of the Crimean Tatars."

"There are a few dozen pro-Russian organizations in the Crimea. In addition, rather aggressive Cossack organizations, the Orthodox of the Moscow Patriarchate, conduct provocative actions," stressed the deputy.

He noted that the number of radical Islamic organizations is clearly exaggerated, especially for Hizb ut-Tahrir. "In fact, as for their activists -- for only they participate in the provocative actions as to dividing the Crimean Tatars into 'true believers' and infidels,' -- there are no more than 50-60 of them in the Crimea. We closely monitor all the Crimean Tatar trends, not only Hizb ut-Tahrir but also other ones such as the Wahhabists, Salaphites. They have adherents, of course. But why is such attention paid only to our radicals?" noted Dzhemiliev.

The leader of the Mejlis assured that such organizations do not pose a serious threat "for the majority of the religious communities are subordinated to the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Crimea."