freedom of speech
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.
‘Justice must be restored’: Ukraine puts ‘judge’ who sentenced journalist Semena in occupied Crimea on trial
Read the full article by ZMINA to learn how Mykola Semena was tried in occupied Crimea, why the actions of illegitimate judge Nadiia Shkolna constitute a war crime and how the case against her is progressing in a Ukrainian court
UN Special Rapporteurs yet to respond to appeal concerning Iryna Danylovych
Two months after international organisations appealed to six UN Special Rapporteurs to help secure the release of Crimean citizen journalist Iryna Danylovych and protect her rights, the UN experts have yet to respond, Olha Novytska, the sister of journalist and activist Iryna Danylovych
First sentence for ‘activities against Russian security’ handed down in occupied Yalta
Article 280.4 of the Russian Criminal Code provides for liability for public calls for activities that the Russian authorities consider directed against the state's security. In Russian judicial practice, this article has been used, in particular, to persecute people over public statements related to the war against Ukraine
FSB detained man in occupied Yevpatoriia over support for Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram
Russia’s FSB stated that it has detained a local man born in 2002 in occupied Yevpatoriia, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, on suspicion of making public calls for extremist activity in Telegram posts, pro-Russian Telegram channels reported
Russian court sentenced occupied Melitopol resident to six years over Telegram comments
The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, has sentenced a resident of occupied Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia Region to six years in a general-regime penal colony over comments posted on Telegram
Man in occupied Crimea fined over Telegram posts; Russian-installed judge refers to him as woman in ruling
The fine was imposed over Telegram posts in which, according to the court, he expressed negative views of the actions of Russian troops and Russia’s war against Ukraine, ZMINA reported, citing a ruling published on the website of the "Kyivskyi District Court" of temporarily occupied Simferopol
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
