Polish journalists call on Russia to immediately release Roman Sushchenko

The Polish Journalists Association has called on the Russian authorities to immediately release Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko, emphasizing his detention contradicts the international law and European standards.

This is said in the Association's statement, published on its website.

"The Polish Journalists Association calls on the Russian authorities to immediately release Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko and reminds that holding a foreign journalist in a pretrial detention center without convincing evidence of the criminal activity contradicts the law and European standards," the statement reads.

As noted, the Polish Journalists Association jointly with other Ukrainian and international journalistic organizations "is very actively involved in the completion of criminal proceedings in the case and prompt release of Roman Sushchenko."

As reported, Ukrinform correspondent in France Roman Sushchenko was arrested in Moscow on September 30, where he arrived on a private visit. He was accused of “espionage”, allegedly being a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate denied allegations of the Russian Federal Security Service.

The Russian court ruled at its closed hearing on October 1 to arrest the journalist for two months.

October 7, the Russian Federation officially charged the Ukrainian journalist with spying. Sushchenko denied any guilt.

November 28, the Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow extended pre-trial detention term of Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko until January 30, 2017.

January 25, the Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow extended pre-trial detention term of Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko until April 30, 2017.

April 26, the Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow extended pre-trial detention term of Sushchenko until June 30, 2017.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed that Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko is not a staff employee of the Defense Intelligence.

Roman Sushchenko works with the Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform since 2002 and is agency's own correspondent in France since 2010.

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