Balukh still in grave condition - Chiygoz

01.08.2018 11:18

Ukrinform

Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh, who was illegally sentenced in Russian-occupied Crimea, does not stop his hunger strike, and his condition remains grave, deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Akhtem Chiygoz has told the Crimea.Realities online news site.

"His condition has not improved. It is still grave. He, as he says himself, 'is on the track'," Chiygoz said.

As reported, on July 5, 2018, Russian-controlled Rozdolne District Court in Crimea sentenced Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh to five years of imprisonment and fined him 10,000 rubles (about UAH 4,000).

Balukh said in his last statement that a criminal case against was politically motivated.

Russia's FSB detained Balukh on December 8, 2016. FSB employees claimed that they found 90 cartridges and several TNT smoke grenades in the attic of his house. The court in Crimea recognized Balukh as guilty of storing ammunition and sentenced him to three years and five months of imprisonment in a settlement colony, as well as awarded a fine of 10,000 rubles (about UAH 4,600).

Balukh's defense team and human rights defenders claim that he is a victim of repression for his pro-Ukrainian position - due to Ukraine's flag in the courtyard of his house.

The Ukrainian and U.S. foreign ministries insist on the release of the Ukrainian activist by the Russian authorities.