Crimean parliament declares independence from Ukraine

KIEV -- The parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea on Tuesday adopted a declaration of independence from Ukraine.

The declaration specifies that Crimea will become independent if around 2 million residents vote in favor of joining Russia in the referendum scheduled for Sunday.

Last Thursday, the Crimean parliament voted to become part of Russia, though Ukrainian authorities have dismissed the upcoming referendum as "illegal," saying it violates the legal procedures established by the Constitution.

On Friday, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Alexandr Turchynov, who is also the country's acting president, signed a decree vetoing the Crimean lawmakers' decision to hold a referendum and threatened to dissolve the Crimean parliament.

Some ethnic groups living in the peninsula have stated that they intend to boycott the referendum.

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