In Crimea a new criminal case was opened against Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh

In Crimea a new criminal case was opened against Ukrainian activist Volodymyr BalukhOn August 22, the Investigative Committee of Russia initiated a new criminal case against pro-Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh, who is imprisoned in Crimea, under Article 318 part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Use of Violence Against a Representative of the Authority).

As reported by the Crimean Human Rights Group, the case was opened on the complainant of Valery Tkachenko, Head of the Rozdolnensky isolator.

The document, which is in possession of human rights defenders, states that, on August 11, during a morning inspection of an isolator cell Volodymyr Balukh have hit captain Valery Tkachenko in his stomach. Afterwards, the prisoner entered cell #2, took a bottle of detergent and hit the Head of the isolator on his right arm.

According to Balukh’s defense, Tkachenko himself attacked the prisoner, struck and insulted him with obscene language and humiliated him on a national basis. All this was recorded in a video.

In early August, Balukh’s lawyer have filed a complaint about the actions of the Valery Tkachenko. Namely about the use of force against the prisoner.

In April, Ukrainian Volodymyr Balukh have stated that Tkachenko has discriminated him on an ethnic basis.

As a reminder, on August 4, the Kremlin-controlled Rozdolnensky Court of annexed Crimea has sentenced Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh to 3 years and 7 months of imprisonment in the colony of the general regime, as well as has imposed a fine in the amount of 10 thousand rubles. The defense intends to appeal this verdict.

Ukrainian human rights defenders filed two complaints with the European Court of Human Rights about the persecution of Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh, who was convicted in annexed Crimea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed absolute protest regarding the passing of a verdict on the case of citizen of Ukraine Volodymyr Balukh by the Kremlin-controlled Crimean Court and demands to cease his persecution.

The FSB has detained Volodymyr Balukh on December 8, 2016. FSB officers claimed that they have found ammunition and several blocks of TNT in the attic of Volodymyr Balukh’s house.

Kremlin-controlled authorities of Crimea demanded from Volodymyr Balukh to remove a plaque saying “Heroes of Nebesna Sotnya Street” that was installed on the wall of his house.

Balukh’s defense and human rights defenders assert that he is a victim of repression for his pro-Ukrainian position, which he displayed through a plaque and Ukrainian flag that he put on a courtyard of his house.