freedom of speech
Media worker from Melitopol Heorhii Levchenko may be held in a detention facility in Russia’s Altai Krai
ZMINA is currently unable to confirm which facility Levchenko may be held in
Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity received RAW in WAR award
RAW in WAR also made special mention of Viktoriia Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist who died in Russian captivity
Russian occupying authorities reuse old footage of Yevhen Shved, twice convicted for pro-Ukrainian views, in ‘SBU agent’ detention video
The date of birth given for the detainee in the security forces’ video dated 2 October also matches Shved’s
Vladyslav Hershon, Telegram chat administrator, held in solitary confinement at Vladimir Central Prison
Hershon has health problems: during his most recent meeting with his lawyer, he said he was itching all over. Preliminary arrangements have been made for him to receive treatment
Journalist Iryna Danylovych faces repeated death threats in Russian penal colony
Their names are known to the ZMINA editorial office. Novytska said they believe they can act with impunity and regularly threaten Iryna, including telling her they would face no consequences for killing her
Russian-controlled court upholds 15-year prison sentence for Iryna Levchenko
In September, the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Regional Court in Melitopol sentenced Levchenko to 15 years in prison for "espionage" under Russian law. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) alleged that she had passed information to Ukraine about the locations of Russian administrative bodies and security agencies, their personnel, and the routes used to move troops, military equipment and weapons
Russian authorities opened at least four criminal cases over online posts in occupied Crimea over a two-week period
Over the past two weeks, Russian security forces have announced at least four new criminal cases against residents of temporarily occupied Crimea over posts, comments and other online content
Ukrainian journalist and former political prisoner Vladyslav Yesypenko calls for coordinated support for Ukrainians in Russian captivity
The journalist met with Michal Geisler, a representative of the Czech president, and Karel Dvořák, a Czech parliamentarian. Their discussions covered, among other issues, the Czech Republic’s potential role in mediating the return of Ukrainian civilian hostages and access for the International Committee of the Red Cross to Russian detention facilities
NGO Crimean Process prepared recommendations on imprisoned journalists for new UN Special Rapporteur
The human rights organisation Crimean Process has prepared recommendations for the new UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, urging greater attention to journalists held in Russian custodial settings. The organisation compared its own data with information from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Fellow prisoner enlisted to torture Iryna Danylovych in Russian penal colony – human rights defenders
Another prisoner is taking part in the psychological abuse of Iryna Danylovych, a Crimean citizen journalist and activist, at Penal Colony No. 7 in Zelenokumsk, in Russia’s Stavropol Krai
‘The most frightening moment is when you are left on your own’: How Crimean Solidarity supported people for 10 years
ZMINA article examines the movement’s importance both in resisting political repression in Crimea and in providing vital support to affected families, as well as the consequences of its closure that are already being felt
Journalist Iryna Levchenko tortured with electric shocks in secret prison in Melitopol
The media outlet RIA Pivden published Levchenko’s testimony
FSB has detained a resident of occupied Kerch for alledgely “justifying terrorism”
Russian security forces have detained a 53-year-old man in Kerch, in temporarily occupied Crimea, accusing him of allegedly "justifying terrorism" online
Man faces trial in occupied Melitopol over online comment posted four years ago
The occupation authorities continue to use old posts and comments by residents of the Melitopol area as grounds for criminal prosecution
Human rights defenders identified six people involved in persecution of journalist Hennadii Osmak
The Crimean Human Rights Group (CHRG) has identified six officials within Russia’s occupation apparatus involved in the illegitimate criminal prosecution of Hennadii Osmak, a journalist from the occupied city of Henichesk
Russian-controlled ‘court’ in occupied Melitopol sentences journalist Iryna Levchenko to 15 years in prison
Levchenko’s name was not disclosed in the statement issued by the Russian security service, which referred to her only by the first letter of her surname
Citizen journalist Asan Akhtemov has spent five years in Russian captivity
For a time, reading helped Asan cope with the hardships of imprisonment. Poor lighting has caused his eyesight to deteriorate significantly. He cannot currently undergo the eye examination he needs at the colony. Despite his prolonged imprisonment, Akhtemov continues to write letters
Illegally detained journalist Iryna Levchenko faces constant transfers for Russian investigations
Russian security forces transfer illegally imprisoned Ukrainian journalist Iryna Levchenko every ten days from a Donetsk Detention Centre to temporarily occupied Melitopol for investigative actions before returning her to Donetsk, the journalist wrote in a letter recently received by her family.
Columns
Fighting a ‘holy war’: Why a sacralised war resists Western strategy
“Reaching an agreement with the US on what we disagree on”: What the campaign against ICC means for Ukraine
ICC must remain free from political pressure to bring justice to victims of world’s gravest crimes
Only 5% of those responsible for deporting Ukrainian children face global sanctions
