The railway district court of Simferopol, controlled by the Kremlin, on Friday, September 22, announced the verdict to the Crimean journalist, the author Radyo Liberty and Crimea. Realities to Nikolay Simeon.

According to the Crimea. Realia, the journalist was sentenced to two and a half years probation with a probation period of three years and an interdiction to engage in public activities.

The verdict was read by the judge of the Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Simferopol Natalia Shkolnaya.

Recognizing Semyon as guilty, the judge referred to the right of nations to self-determination, and stated that the events of the spring of 2014 in Crimea corresponded to international law.

"The Constitution has the highest status and extends to the entire territory of Russia," the judge said.. The Russian judge considered the receipt of the Russian passport as confirmation of the "Russian identity of the Crimea".

On the eve of Nikolay Semyon made a final speech in court, and said that if he was convicted, this would affect the whole of journalism in Russia.