Defense lawyers have asked for a reversal of the sentence handed out to Ilmi Umerov, deputy chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, who was convicted on charges of calls for separatism.

"I have filed a claim asking for a reversal of the sentence and for my client's acquittal," Mark Feygin, a lawyer for Umerov, said, adding that the appeal will be considered by the Supreme Court of Crimea.

As reported, on September 27, the Simferopol District Court sentenced Umerov to two years in a low-security colony.

Investigators of the Russian FSB in Crimea in May 2016 opened a criminal case against Umerov under Article 280.1 of the Russian Criminal Code on suspicion of incitement to violation of territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.

Under court ruling, Umerov underwent forced forensic psychiatric examination.

Umerov's defense team intends to appeal against the verdict. The prosecutor during the debate a week ago asked for a 3.5 years suspended sentence for Umerov.

For the time being, the 60-year-old handicapped politician will stay at home. If the appellate court upholds the verdict, Umerov will be sent to the low-security colony.

Umerov's four lawyers insisted on their client's innocence. Umerov said he was framed up and the case was politically motivated, saying that the translation of his address delivered in the Crimean Tatar language into Russian, which was the basis for the charges, was loose and some calls were added to the text.