On the afternoon of 20 October, Ilshat Sharafullin, an activist with the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile, was detained by police in Chisinau for posting flyers promoting the Nomad unit, part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ilshat acted purely out of good intentions; he was volunteering and seeking to support the Ukrainian military unit Nomad. A seizure report was drawn up during his arrest. Ilshat’s last message was received around 5:00 PM, after which he went silent. Messages sent by members of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile were read but went unanswered.
Today, Ilshat Sharafullin called a member of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile from his friend’s phone and told him what had happened. After his arrest, he was questioned by police and Moldovan intelligence officers, and his phone was seized for inspection. Ilshat is currently staying with friends. He was told he could pick up his phone on Friday and might be interviewed further.
We hope that the Moldovan police and security services will demonstrate objectivity and handle the situation impartially.
Ilshat Sharafullin openly supports Ukraine in this criminal war unleashed by Russia. He participated in the territorial defence of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and advocates for Moldova’s European development path and European integration, opposing Moscow’s imperial influence in Moldova.
The Nomad unit and the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile are not adversaries of Moldova; on the contrary, we support a democratic and European Moldova.
Unfortunately, Ilshat Sharafullin was previously denied asylum in Moldova, and he was unable to appeal the decision.
We call on the Moldovan authorities to show understanding and humanity and grant Ilshat Sharafullin asylum.
Sincerely,
Press Service of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile
