Tatars fear persecution in Crimea
Reuters
2014-03-17
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Crimeans celebrate well into Sunday night.
In a referendum, they overwhelmingly voted to form a union with Russia.
But now, ethnic Tatars fear inter-ethnic conflict. And their mood, is somber.
They make up 12 percent of Crimea's population.
The Tatar regional leader is concerned.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TATAR REGIONAL LEADER, MUSTAFA ASABA, SAYING:
"There will be people who may leave. That's for sure. But that will be a very small fraction. The main part, 90-95 percent of the population will remain here under any circumstances because Crimea is our motherland. We don't have any other motherland."
Some residents are afraid, too.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BELOGORSK RESIDENT, LENURA ASANOVA, SAYING:
"Of course we are afraid, but what can we do? Certainly not run away anywhere. No, we don't have that in our minds. I can't even think about it."
They fear a revival of centuries-long persecution suffered under Moscow's rule.
The mino
In a referendum, they overwhelmingly voted to form a union with Russia.
But now, ethnic Tatars fear inter-ethnic conflict. And their mood, is somber.
They make up 12 percent of Crimea's population.
The Tatar regional leader is concerned.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TATAR REGIONAL LEADER, MUSTAFA ASABA, SAYING:
"There will be people who may leave. That's for sure. But that will be a very small fraction. The main part, 90-95 percent of the population will remain here under any circumstances because Crimea is our motherland. We don't have any other motherland."
Some residents are afraid, too.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BELOGORSK RESIDENT, LENURA ASANOVA, SAYING:
"Of course we are afraid, but what can we do? Certainly not run away anywhere. No, we don't have that in our minds. I can't even think about it."
They fear a revival of centuries-long persecution suffered under Moscow's rule.
The mino
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