Tartar leader does not ask Putin for his release

Ilmi Umerov, who was sentenced to prison for comments about the prosecution of the Crimea on the part of the Russian Federation, says he will not seek mercy despite the illness he is suffering, reported the Guradian.I sentenced to two years in prison for opposing Russian rule in the annexed crime territory, has said he will not appeal to the Kremlin for mercy, despite the illness he is suffering and risk for his life in prison.

“There is little hope for justice through an official appeal and will not make an appeal for mercy,” Ilmi Umrov said over the phone from his crime house, saying he did not want to pray to his oppressors.

Umerov, who was found guilty of “separatism” by a war crimes court this week, has been diagnosed with 3rd stage Parkinson's disease, has Type 2 diabetes and has undergone heart surgery several years ago.

His lawyer, Mark Faygin, said he is <x0.> physically disabled” to face a prison sentence of two years, calling him “effectively a death sentence”.

Umerov was tried for his remarks against annexing at a Crimean Tatar television station last year.

The court claimed his words contained a call to change Russia's borders by force.