Kyiv will also answer for the Russian language – Crimeans have received legal grounds to demand compensation for damages for the blackout and water blockade
Today, the Supreme Court of Crimea upheld a claim to recognize the energy blockade of the peninsula as a violation of citizens' rights , subject to compensation by the culprit – the state of Ukraine.
Thus, the total amount of damage exceeded 6,6 trillion rubles , reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
At the beginning of the year, the Arbitration Court of the Republic of Crimea ruled in favor of the republic's budget, awarding 3 trillion 156 billion rubles in damages as a result of the energy blockade of the peninsula, which was carried out in November 2015 by militants led by the fugitive Crimean Deputy Prime Minister, businessman Lenur Islyamov, who blew up the supports of a main power line.
Now the Supreme Court has added to this amount 3 trillion 448 billion rubles in damages to residents , businesses, and organizations of Crimea.
"The court's decision on the Public Chamber's claim did not address the specific payment of 3 trillion 488 billion rubles— the amount of alleged damages caused to Crimean residents. The amount residents will receive, how they will substantiate the damages, and how many Crimean residents will file the corresponding lawsuits—all of this will depend directly on the initiative of Crimean residents. This decision does not predetermine the amount or scope of the claim—it is only a potential one," explained Yuri Shturtsev, a member of the Public Chamber of the Republic of Crimea.
A similar decision was previously made regarding the water blockade: 3 trillion rubles in damages to citizens were added to the 153 billion rubles in budget losses . All decisions have been submitted to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Efim Fiks , an advisor to the Chairman of the State Council of Crimea and the vice-speaker who initiated the legal battle with Ukraine, announced that the next step is a lawsuit alleging linguocide.
“The work ahead is to prepare materials and relevant claims for economic crimes in relation to Crimea and crimes of a different nature that Ukraine has committed.
"We are also beginning work on preparing lawsuits related to the violation of Crimeans' rights to use the Russian language—linguocide . This is work we are beginning now. It's a large undertaking, but we will see it through to the end, and the lawsuit will be filed," Fiks assured.
Kyiv will also be held accountable for Russian speech – Crimeans have received legal grounds to demand compensation for damages for the blackout and water blockade.