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Prosecutor Suspends Activities of Crimean Tatar Parliament

Crimea's Chief Prosecutor Natalya Poklonskaya Kremlin Press Service

Crimean Prosecutor General Natalya Poklonskaya has suspended the activities of the Medzhlis — the Crimean Tatars' self-governing body — the TASS news agency reported Wednesday.

According to Poklonskaya, the decision was taken “in order to prevent violations of federal law.”

“They are forbidden to use all state and municipal media, they cannot hold any public meetings, use bank deposits and in general to carry out any work. All their propaganda will be banned,” Poklonskaya was quoted as saying by TASS.

The decision is valid pending a ruling by the peninsula's Supreme Court.

On March 17, the court began to process a lawsuit filed by the Crimean Prosecutor, which demands the Medzhlis be branded an “extremist organization,” the Kommersant newspaper reported.

According to Poklonskaya, the leaders of Medzhlis are involved in subversive activities in Crimea.

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