Memorial Complex commemorating the victims of deportation of May 18, 2011 was opened in Kogey village (Rusakovka) Belogorsk region

17 May 2011

May 17, 2011 Memorial Complex commemorating the victims of deportation of May 18, 2011 was opened in Kogey village (Rusakovka) Belogorsk region on the eve of the tragic date in the history of the Crimean Tatar people – May 18, 1944 and the all-Crimean mourning meeting held annually on May 18, commemorating victims of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people.

The ceremonial opening of the Memorial Complex was attended by the Chairman of Crimean Tatar Mejlis Mestafa Jemilev, the acting Head of the Revision Commission of Qurultay of the 5th convocation, Head of Qarasubuzar regional Mejlis Mustafa Asaba, first deputy Chairman of Belogorsk regional state administration Nikolay Segachev, Rusakovka village Head Vasily Ukhnovich, Chairman of local Kogey mejlis Server Asanov and almost all residents of Kogey village.

After Abduraim-aga, Imam of Kogey village read dua (prayer) commemorating all those who died and didn’t return to their homeland from exile, the Chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis Mestafa Jemilev addressing all the present noted that the opening of Memorial Complex commemorating the victims of deportation of May 18, 2011 in Kogey village was a great contribution to the history of the Crimean Tatar people, as well as a common duty to those who died tragically during those terrible years of deportation of the Crimean Tatar people. Mustafa Jemilev thanked everyone who made his contribution to creation of the monument, thus immortalizing the memory of their nationals, village-fellows and relatives. The leader of Crimean Tatar Mejlis also addressed to all compatriots to take an active part in all-Crimean mourning meeting which on May 18 annually gathers all Crimean Tatars in order to commemorate and honor the victims of deportation of the Crimean Tatar people, those who didn’t live until the happy days of return to their native land.

The meeting was also attended by 93-year-old woman born in Kogey village Ediye Velieva (Midatova) who was deported along with all Crimean Tatar people from this village when her husband Sadyk oglu Medat was on war. After many years Ediye Velieva returned to her native village and today along with all village-fellows she commemorated all those who died including her husband whose name was also written on the memorial plate of the Memorial Complex among those village residents who died heroically during World War Two. Mustafa Jemilev personally talked with Ediye Velieva and wished her good health.