MOSCOW. Sept 15 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has uncovered connections between the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, which has been designated an extremist organization and banned in Russia, and the Ukrainian security services.
"The investigation of a criminal case against three Russian citizens involved in an act of pipeline sabotage near Perevalnoye in the Republic of Crimea provided information about connections between the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, banned in Russia, (hereinafter referred to as the Mejlis) and the Ukrainian security services," the FSB public relations center told reporters.
"According to the detainees, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Department took part in the preparations for the act of sabotage and also tried to organize protests by Crimean Tatars against the lawful authorities and law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Crimea via the Mejlis," the FSB said.
The FSB said in early September that Nariman Dzhelyalov, deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, banned in Russia, and some other people had been detained in connection with a case on a gas pipeline blast in Perevalnoye, Crimea. The security service said that the act of sabotage was plotted with the participation of Ukrainian intelligence.
A criminal case was opened on counts of sabotage. The crime is punishable with imprisonment of ten to 15 years.