Crimean leader calls citizens denying results of 2014 referendum "liars and provocateurs"

Crimea’s head Sergey Aksyonov has supported the proposal of Russia’s Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin to classify denying the results of 2014 referendum in Crimea as extremism. Aksyonov’s press service said on Monday that the results of the referendum should not be questioned.

"Those who try to deny them are liars and provocateurs. Speculations on this issue outrage and insult not only the majority of Crimeans who voted for reunification with Russia but also all citizens of our country who supported our choice. I think that such speculations should be countered - toughly and in the framework of law. That’s why denying the results of the historical referendum on Crimea’s reunification with Russia should be classified as extremist activity," Aksyonov said.

The Crimean head noted that distorting historical facts is an instrument of hybrid war being waged against Russia. "This instrument is actively used not only by enemies of our Fatherland beyond our borders but also by representatives of the ‘fifth column’ inside the country," he added.