Erdoğan phones Crimean Tatar leader to mark exile

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan phoned Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev on May 19 over the 71st anniversary of the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944. 

“Turkey is in solidarity with their Crimean Tatar brothers in these days of mourning,” the Turkish Presidency quoted Erdoğan as saying.

Erdoğan said the exile the Crimean Tatars suffered was a “dark page” in history, adding that the “inhumane” incident would never be forgotten.

The president also conveyed his condolences to all victims of the exile.

“Turkey gives priority to the peace, welfare and security of Crimean Tatars from the beginning of the Ukrainian issue,” said Erdoğan, referring to the annexation of Crimea by Russia last year in March.

Erdoğan also criticized Russian authorities over banning Crimean Tatars from holding a commemorative ceremony for the anniversary of the exile, calling it “unacceptable.”

Dzhemilev, for his part, thanked Erdoğan for Turkey’s sensitivity and support of Crimean Tatars.

Around 250,000 Crimean Tatars were taken from their homes and forced to migrate thousands of kilometers away to Central Asia under Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1944.