31 Ukrainian citizens more held in Russia – human rights activist
At least 31 Ukrainians, including 16 Crimean Tatars, have been still held in Russian prisons after Ukrainian pilot, MP Nadiya Savchenko was released yesterday.
This was reported by Chairwoman of the Center for Civil Liberties Oleksandra Matviychuk.
The human rights activist of the Center report that Oleg Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Oleksiy Chirniy and Hennadiy Afanasyev are held in Russia within the framework of the so-called “case of Crimean terrorists”, Stanislav Klykh and Mykola Karpyuk are held within the “Chechen case”, Oleksandr Kostenko is held within the “Euromaidan case.”
The Russian investigators prosecute Valentyn Vyhivsky, Yuri Soloshenko and Viktor Shchur under the “case of spies”, Serhiy Litvinov under the “case of castigator” and Haiser Dzhemilev under the “case of pressure on Mustafa Dzhemilev.”
In addition, 19 people are waiting for verdicts in their cases in the Russian-occupied Crimea: Akhtem Chiygoz, Mustafa Degermendzhi, Ali Asanov in “case of February 26”, Andriy Kolomiets in “Euromaidan case”, Yuri Ilchenko in “blogger’s case.”
The greatest number of Ukrainian citizens is defendants in “the case of Crimean Muslims”: Enver Mamutov, Envar Bekirov, Remzi Memetov, Rustem Abiltarov, Muslim Aliev, Rustem Vaitov, Arsen Dzheparov, Zevri Abseitov, Vadim Siruk, Nuri Primov, Emir-Usein Kuku, Refat Alimov, Ruslan Zeytulaev, Ferat Sayfulaev.
Meanwhile, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko announced the release of Ukrainians Hennadiy Afanasyev and Yuri Soloshenko.
“Soloshenko and Afanasyev, who have very bad health, cancer, sepsis, will be released,” the President said, promising progress in the release of other hostages in three to four weeks.
Leader of the Russian movement “For Human Rights” Lev Ponomarev hopes that the process of returning prisoners to their homeland will be extended.
“It’s good that our relations are at a level it has become possible. Of course, this exchange gives hope that it will be possible to make further steps that would strengthen our ties,” he said.
