Ukrainian journalist released from Russian prison after 4 years of torture
Photo: Crimean journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko (facebook.com/crimeansolidarity)
Vladyslav Yesypenko, a Ukrainian journalist from the Krym.Realii project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been released after 4 years in a Russian prison in temporarily occupied Crimea, Krym.Realii reports.
"For more than 4 years, Vladislav was arrested for something he did not do. He paid too high a price for telling the truth about the events in Russia-occupied Crimea. He was tortured for it, both physically and psychologically," says Steven Capus, Director General of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Capus also thanked the governments of the United States and Ukraine for their efforts to bring Yesypenko home.
Vladyslav Yesypenko
Vladyslav Yesypenko is a Ukrainian freelance journalist with the Krym.Realii project. He covered life on the occupied peninsula: filmed reports, conducted street surveys, and talked about environmental and social problems in Crimea.
On March 10, 2021, Yesypenko was detained by the Russian FSB. He was accused of collecting information allegedly for the Ukrainian special services and possessing explosives. The journalist's car was seized and searched, after which it was claimed that an improvised explosive device was found.
In February 2022, a Russian-controlled court in Simferopol sentenced Yesypenko to 5 years in prison and a fine. In court, Yesypenko claimed torture by electric shock and pressure.
During his imprisonment, Vladyslav Yesypenko received a number of prestigious awards, including: Free Media Award (2022), PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, the National Ihor Lubchenko Prize, as well as the Levko Lukianenko State Scholarship, which is awarded to Ukrainian political prisoners.
Crimean political prisoners in Russia
During the occupation of Crimea, the Russian regime has illegally detained, arrested, and convicted at least 180 activists, journalists, and others. Most of them are Crimean Tatars. Ukraine has repeatedly called on its partners to help release these people from Russian captivity.
Last year, the Ukrainian side handed over to Türkiye lists of seriously ill Crimean political prisoners. The list includes over 40 prisoners, most of whom are representatives of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people.
