As part of the investigation into the criminal case against three Russian citizens involved in the sabotage of a gas pipeline near the village of Perevalnoye in Crimea, information has been obtained about the Mejlis’ links with the Ukrainian special services. This was reported by the Centre for Public Relations of the FSB
“According to the detainees, in addition to participation in the preparation of sabotage, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry through the Mejlis tried to organize protest actions of the Crimean Tatar population against the lawful actions of the Crimean authorities and law enforcement agencies”, – the agency said.
The FSB reported in early September that Crimean Tatar Mejlis deputy head Nariman Dzhelyalov and several other people had been detained in connection with the bombing of a gas pipeline in Perevalny. According to the special service, the sabotage was prepared with the involvement of Ukrainian intelligence.
A criminal case under Part 1 of Article 281 of the Russian Criminal Code (“sabotage”), which envisages punishment in the form of imprisonment for 10 to 15 years, has been launched over the case. All the detainees were arrested, the special service said.
It is worth noting that no pressure was exerted on the detainees, as evidenced by the video recordings of their confessions made public by the FSB. In addition, the suspects are eager to cooperate with the authorities, giving details of their ties with the Ukrainian security services.