Mufti of Muslims of Crimea sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison

Emirali Ablayev. Photo: Muftiyat of Crimea Facebook

Emirali Ablayev, the Mufti of Muslims in Crimea, who headed the Russian-created "Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea and Sevastopol," has been sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court to 12 years in prison, according to a Facebook post by the Main Directorate of the SBU in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The investigation established that the mufti encouraged Crimean Tatars to join the occupying forces and organized events where recruitment activities were conducted. Ablayev also appeared on Russian television, where he publicly supported Russian military aggression and justified Russian war crimes.

The court found the mufti guilty under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 3, Article 436-2 (justifying, recognizing as lawful, or denying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and glorifying its participants); and Part 6, Article 111-1 (collaborative activity).

The SBU reported that the defendant is currently located in Crimea, but the agency is taking measures to ensure that he faces punishment.

As reported earlier, the High Anti-Corruption Court applied sanctions and confiscated the property of Metropolitan Lazar of Crimea.

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