101 Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia and occupied Crimea

"From March 17 to August 31, 2020, the ‘courts of the first instance’ delivered 96 judgments to detain or to extend detention during the pre-trial investigation of 60 people within the politically motivated prosecution of Crimean residents. Of these 96 rulings on detention, 54 judgments were ‘delivered’ by Crimean ‘courts’, while 42 judgments were ‘delivered’ by Russian courts," Chairperson of the Crimean Human Rights Group Olha Skrypnyk said at the press conference "Kremlin’s political persecution amid COVID-19", Radio Liberty reports.

In early August 2020, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak announced the preparations for a new prisoner swap in “100 for 100” format. Yermak expressed hope that the exchange would take place "soon" but did not specify the exact date.

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova earlier stated that Russia held 133 Ukrainian citizens for political reasons.

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