Crimean Tatars shot by the NKVD in 1938 remembered in Simferopol

Remembrance ceremonies were held in Simferopol on Monday to mark one of the tragic dates in the history of the Crimean Tatar people – the execution of a large number of Crimean Tatars in an NKVD prison. According to the Mejilis of the Crimean Tatar people, the killings took place in Simferopol over three days from 17 April 1938 and the number killed is unknown.  The formal charges included participation in the activities of the party Milli Firka, spying for Germany, England or other countries, as well as nationalism. The Mejilis says that the real aim was to deprive the Crimean Tatar people of their most prominent and thinking people. It adds that many historians believe that this tragedy was second in terrible importance only to the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people in 1944.

Historians are certain of the names of twenty people shot during those days in 1938.  They included writers, teachers, scholars, artists and others.

The memorial evening was attended by members of the Mejilis of the Crimean Tatar people, members of the Crimean Tatar intelligentsia, civic organizations and students from Crimean institutes.

The Mejilis reports that the Bakhchysarai Reserve has begun preparing documents for the official rehabilitation of people shot during those days in 1938.