Panov and Zakhtiy are relocated from Moscow back to Crimea to complicate the defense

Russian Investigation relocated Ukrainians Yevgen Panov and Andriy Zakhtiy, who were arrested by the FSB on the so-called “Crimean saboteurs” case, from “Lefortovo” SIZO (pre-trial detention centre) of Moscow to the Crimea.

As reported by Krym.Realiyi.

Lawyer Dmytro Dinze, who represents Panov, suggests that such relocation can be related to the desire of Russian security forces to complicate the process of defense in this case.

“A strong group of lawyers has now formed on the case here in Moscow – I, Olga (Dinze – ed.), Sharapov, Novikov. And they (Russian security forces – ed.) decided to shuffle the cards, are sending them back to SIZO of Simferopol, so that defense went to Crimea, wasted money and it is quite expensive. The intention to cut off those frequent visits, which happened in Moscow”, – explained Dmytro Dinze.

He also clarified that, according to the investigator, the main case will be considered in the Crimean courts.

According to lawyer, relocation of Ukrainians Panov and Zakhtiy can take from two-three days to two weeks.

Earlier, Ilia Novikov wrote about the relocation of Panov and Zakhtiy on his Twitter page on February 15. Russian law enforcement agencies are not publishing information on relocation of prisoners officially on the open sources.

As a reminder, in August, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Evgen Panov and Andriy Zakhtiy were accused of preparing terrorist acts in the occupied Crimea.

According to the human rights defenders, Panov had been tortured for several days. Then, he slandered himself on video, recorded by the secret services.

Olga Skrypnyk, a coordinator of the Crimean Human Rights Group, informed that such methods of torture were used against Genadiy Afanasiev, Oleg Sentsov, Andriy Kolomiets and Oleksandr Kostenko.

On August 15, it was reported that the number of detainees in alleged preparation of terrorist acts increased to nine people.

On December 5, the Lefortovo Court of Moscow extended to March the period of detention for Ukrainians Evgen Panov and Andriy Zakhtiy, which are accused by Russia of preparing terrorist acts in Crimea.

Also in early December, Panov wrote a statement to the Inestigative Committee of the Russian Federation with complaints about tortures, to which, according to him, he was subjected for 6 days after the detainment on the night of August 7, 2016. According to Panov, the evidence that was filmed on camera and published on August 11, he had given under tortures. In addition, he signed all the documents that were given to him by the FSB officers.

On January 24, Moscow City Court upheld the extension of the arrest of Andriy Zakhtiy, who is accused of preparing acts of sabotage in the Crimea.