The lawyer of Akhtem Chiygoz, deputy chair of the Crimean Tatar Majilis (banned in Russia), will appeal the eight-year sentence handed down by the Crimean Supreme Court on the counts of instigating mass disturbances at a Simferopol rally on February 26, 2014, ahead of a referendum on Crimea's reunification with Russia.

"The sentence will be appealed anyway. Notably, a Russian court did not dare to acknowledge him [Chiygoz] as a Russian citizen; he remains a citizen of Ukraine, so, in addition to appealing this sentence, we will coordinate our efforts with the Ukrainian government in order to liberate Akhtem Chiygoz," lawyer Nikolai Polozov told the audience standing near the court building.

Supporters of the Crimean Tatar Majilis deputy head shouted "Shame" after the sentence was announced. They also chanted, "Akhtem, we are with you" and "Mashallah" (proud of you), an Interfax correspondent reported.