Roman Sushchenko stayed without food, water first day after arrest – journalists

Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko was not given any food or water during the first day after he had been arrested in Russia.

Sushchenko said this to reporters of the Novaya Gazeta newspaper, the members of the Public Oversight Council, who met him in Lefortovo remand prison in Moscow.

“We asked Roman whether physical pressure had been exerted on him. Sushchenko said that there had been no physical pressure, just psychological pressure on the first day after the arrest. He also was not given any food or water during that first day. He was given food already in Lefortovo remand prison for the first time after he had been arrested,” the journalists said.

“I have lost six kilos already,” Sushchenko said.

He also said that Ukrainian consul had not yet visited him.

In addition, the detained journalist did not know that he could drink water apart from tea.

“I do not drink water from the tap. Two times a day, when the meals are brought, they ask whether I prefer tea or boiling water. I take tea. Tea is sweet. After all, brain needs glucose, therefore, I choose tea,” Sushchenko said, adding that he is not given water any more.

“It’s good you’ve come. Now I know at least that I must be given water. Nobody has explained that to me,” the Novaya Gazeta quotes Sushchenko as saying.

According to the journalists, Sushchenko, who was arrested on September 30, is still in the quarantine ward. The room is very ascetic. There are a metal plate, a spoon, a mug, and three books (Bulgakov, Pikul, Russian-French dictionary) there. There are also few sheets of paper and a pen.

“They give me a pen in the morning and take it away in the evening. Some thoughts come to my mind at night, but I have nothing to put them down with,” Roman said. The journalists suggested leaving their pen, but the prison authorities banned them from doing that.

As reported, Ukrinform Ukrainian national news agency correspondent in France Roman Sushchenko was arrested in Moscow on September 30, where he was on a private visit. He was accused of espionage, allegedly being a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate denied allegations of Russian Federal Security Service.

The court ruled at its closed hearing on October 1 to arrest the journalist for two months – until November 30. Sushchenko was denied a basic right – to see a lawyer and Ukrainian consul, which is contrary to international standards and bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Russia.

October 7, the Russian Federation officially charged the Ukrainian journalist with spying. Sushchenko denies any guilt.

Lawyer Feygin was allowed to see the defendant for only 15 minutes on October 4.

Ukrainian non-governmental organizations believe that the arrest of Ukrinform journalist Roman Sushchenko in Moscow should be regarded as an attack on freedom of expression and call on the Ukrainian government and the international community to protect the Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia and the occupied Crimea.