The Tatars of Crimea

The Tatars of Crimea

Bachysaray is a small town, located 30 km from Simferopol. In Bachysaray 30% of the population are Tatars, native Crimean muslims that during the second world war were deported by Stalin’s Regime to various regions of the Soviet Union ( Urzbekistan , Siberia, Abkhazia,Kazakistan). Only in the nineties, after fall of the Soviet Union, they were allowed to return to their land, where they started to rebuilt their homes and celebrate their traditions and religious beliefs . During these days of crisis, and after the referendum which ratifies the annexation of Crimea to Russia , the level of concern for this minority rises.   Tatars live with the fear that they might suffer once again the same injustices, grievances and provocations from the pro-Russian civil-militia, that in the meantime, backed by the Russian army, have occupied the Ukraine military base in the centre of the town. At the time being, the Tatars carry on with their daily life, patrolling the streets of their village night and day, and in the meantime the Russian troops took control of the military base overlooking the city in order to keep track of the whole area

by contributor Marcello Fauci

Bachysaray is a small town, located 30 km from Simferopol. In Bachysaray 30% of the population are Tatars, native Crimean muslims that during the second world war were deported by Stalin’s Regime to various regions of the Soviet Union ( Urzbekistan , Siberia, Abkhazia,Kazakistan). Only in the nineties, after fall of the Soviet Union, they were allowed to return to their land, where they started to rebuilt their homes and celebrate their traditions and religious beliefs . During these days of crisis, and after the referendum which ratifies the annexation of Crimea to Russia , the level of concern for this minority rises.   Tatars live with the fear that they might suffer once again the same injustices, grievances and provocations from the pro-Russian civil-militia, that in the meantime, backed by the Russian army, have occupied the Ukraine military base in the centre of the town. At the time being, the Tatars carry on with their daily life, patrolling the streets of their village night and day, and in the meantime the Russian troops took control of the military base overlooking the city in order to keep track of the whole area

Crimea_Bachčysaraj_a view of the village from the military base occupied by russians Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Russians soldiers Patrol the main entrance of occupied Ucranian military base in Bachysarj Crimea_Bachčysaraj_An Ucrainian tent inside the base; all the Ucrianins soldiers have left the base after Russians occupation Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Tatars prayng inside the mosque og Bachisaray Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Dormitory of the Ucrainian military base occupied by Russians. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Cosacs and Pro- Russia militians walks on the main road to the village. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Mustafaev Mustafa , tartar's deputee in Bakchisaray city hall, stops to work few days before the Referendum that signs the Ruassian annection of Crimea. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_The minaret of the mosque Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Antufiev Aleksandr was a Veteran Captain of Crimea's division of Ucranian Army; He rejoined the weapons to take control of the base when the Russians soldiers came to occupy the base of Bachysaraj.He said that the base was empty, and the Ucranian Soldier were already out whe they take the base. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_interior of the mosque Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Cosacs inside the occupied Ucranian military base Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Tartars ghatering to organize the night patrol of the village Crimea_Bachčysaraj_A Cosac's Cap with Ak47 on e bed of the military base dormitory Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Pro-Russia miltians inside the base of Bachysaraj. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_streets Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Cosacs and Pro-Russia militians enjoyn inside the base of Bachysaraj Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Tartars Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Streets Crimea_Bachčysaraja window Mustafaev Mustafa , tartar's deputee in Bakchisaray city hall, indicate the Base from the minaret of the village of Bachysaraj. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Pro-Russia miltian inside the base of Bachysaraj. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Tartars night patroling in the streets of the village. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Russian miltians in a contryside of Bachysaraj. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_A tartar patroller Crimea_Bachčysaraj_A view of the village Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Russia soldier in front of a manifesto of ucranian army near the base of Bachysaraj. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Mustafaev Mustafa , tartar's deputee in Bakchisaray city hall, stops to work few days before the Referendum that signs the Ruassian annection of Crimea. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_a bus stop Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Young tartars patrolling the streets at night Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Tartars wachting the Tartar channel on a tv concerning news from referendum. Crimea_Bachčysaraj_Mustafaev Mustafa , tartar's deputee in Bakchisaray city hall, stand outside of his home during the patrolin night session.