Ukrainian human rights commissioner, journalists not allowed to visit Sentsov in penal colony

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova has arrived in the Polar Bear penal colony in the Russian city of Labytnangi, where political prisoner Oleg Sentsov is serving his unlawful sentence.

Denisova said in a commentary to Hromadske Ukrainian media outlet that she had not been allowed to enter the premises of the colony so far and was told to wait.

She added that Russia's commissioner for human rights Tatyana Moskalkova passed by her to the territory, but "did not even stop to talk."

Denisova also noted that Ukrainian journalists from UNIAN news agency and 1+1, Ukrayina and Priamyi TV channels had arrived to the colony but had not been allowed to enter also.

When asked if it is possible to visit Sentsov, Denisova replied: "the chances of visiting are approaching zero."

As reported, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova has stayed in Russia since June 15 and is constantly denied meetings with Ukrainian political prisoners. She has managed to visit none of them so far.

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