Denisova calls on Canada to put pressure on Russia for release of Ukrainian political prisoners

The ombudsman reported this on her Facebook page following a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage Arif Virani.

"I invited Canada to join the entire community, which constantly reminds the Russian president of the need to return our guys to their families. This can be done through additional restrictions against people from his entourage, as well as through constant appeals to him," Denisova wrote.

According to her, Virani promised to convey all information to the leadership of the Parliament of Canada, because, in his opinion, it is extremely important for the rights of people all over the world.

The sides also discussed the detention conditions of Oleg Sentsov and over 60 other Ukrainian political prisoners on Russian territory and in Crimea.

The ombudsman noted, in particular, that "Russia has never responded to our requests, in which we sent lists of prisoners and schedules for their transfer." This is despite the fact that "22 Russian prisoners who are in our prisons have appealed to the Russian president to exchange them for Ukrainians," she added. 

Denisova thanked the whole world for supporting Ukraine in the matter of returning Ukrainian political prisoners and for joint work in this area.

In addition, the sides discussed issues of internally displaced persons and conflict situations with representatives of the Roma in Ukraine, the ombudsman said.

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