A protest action in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation

19 March 2018

An action-performance against the destruction of the historical and cultural monument of the Crimean Tatar architecture – the Khan’s Palace –was held in front of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv. This event was organized by the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, public organization “CrimeaSOS”, and state enterprise “Crimean House”.

The human rights defenders and activists demonstrated how actually the “reconstruction” of the Khan’s Palace is going on. Men wearing the masks of Putin and a self-proclaimed head of Crimea – Aksyonov – doused a maquette of the palace with cement.

The Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov, the Coordinator of “CrimeaSOS” Tamila Tasheva, the Deputy Director of the state enterprise “Crimean House” Alim Aliev, and the former Head of the Bakhchisaray Historical and Cultural Reserve Elmira Ablyalimova attended the action.

“We are witnessing the destruction of the historical value of one of the oldest constructions of the complex. We see a complete substitution of original elements of the cultural heritage with modern materials, and the use of modern technologies where a restoration work has to be done instead.” Since autumn and winter of 2017, the Mosque is unroofed, and precipitations and moisture are getting inside the building. Their next step is the main building of the Khan’s Palace, above which a huge metal structure is already constructed, but herewith, without making any research on soil, strength of the building and walls. As a result of these barbarous actions, we can lose the only Palace Complex in the world of the Chingizid dynasty, the only example of the Crimean Tatar architecture in the world, the only monument in the world survived after thedeportation, the spiritual symbol of our nation – the Khan’s Palace! ” – said E. Ablyalimova.

“The land that once was famous for its buildings turned into a desert, and the indigenous people themselves were forced to flee their land due to Russians presence there for more than 200 years. It seemed to them that they had already killed us completely after they committed thedeportation, but nevertheless, we returned even after fifty years. And now they took in hand our single palace.” – commented the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People.

“The world must realize that the Russian threat is not only for the Crimean Tatar people. If they are not stopped today, they will deal with others tomorrow.” – he summed up.