OREANDA-NEWS. The Investigative Committee of Russia for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol opened a criminal case against the chairman of the public association Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (recognized as extremist and banned in Russia), Refat Chubarov. He is suspected of organizing riots accompanied by violence.

The report says that investigators received evidence that Chubarov was involved in organizing the riots near the building of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in February 2014. “Supporters of the organization with the use of force, with pre-prepared sticks and wooden clubs tried to drive back the rallying citizens, members and supporters of the political party Russian Unity from the government building,” the statement reads. According to investigators, Chubarov instructed his deputy Ahtem Chiygoz to organize riots during an extraordinary meeting of the Council in order to disrupt it.

A number of members of the Mejlis, including Chiygoz, were previously found guilty of organizing mass riots and participating in them.