European Parliament again calls on Russia to release Ukrainian political prisoners

The European Parliament calls for further personal restrictive measures against the persons involved in human rights violations in the Russia-occupied territories of Ukraine and demands the immediate release of Ukrainian political prisoners held by the Kremlin.

This is said in the resolution "Ukrainian prisoners in Russia and the situation in Crimea", adopted on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The document, prepared on the basis of the proposals of five largest political groups of the EU legislative body, was supported by the overwhelming majority of the members.

"The European Parliament calls on Russia to immediately release all the illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in Russia as well as in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and ensure their safe return," the document says.

European parliamentarians also mentioned Ukrinform journalist Roman Sushchenko in the list of Ukrainian political hostages held by the Kremlin.

The MEPs emphasized the special responsibility of the Russian leadership for terminating the military operations in Donbas, releasing and exchanging hostages.

"The European Parliament calls for the introduction of further restrictive measures, including the freezing of assets in the EU banks, against the persons responsible for gross human rights violations," the document says.

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