The Crimean Supreme Court has sentenced Akhtem Chiygoz, deputy chair of the Crimean Tatar Majilis (banned in Russia), to eight years in a penitentiary for instigating mass disturbances at a Simferopol rally on February 26, 2014, ahead of the referendum on Crimea's reunification with Russia, an Interfax correspondent reported from the courtroom.

Chiygoz was charged under Part 1, Article 212 of the Russian Criminal Code.

He listened to the proclamation of the sentence from the detention facility via a video-link.

The square in front of the court building was cordoned off, a metal detector gate was installed, and police officers were put on protection detail, the correspondent said.