Russia persecuting 130 Ukrainians for political and religious reasons

“Today is the Day of Ukrainian Political Prisoner. Established as a counter to the repression and brutality of the Soviet regime, this day has taken on a new meaning in modern Ukrainian history as Russian authorities continue to imprison Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars who oppose the occupying power and Kremlin aggression,” Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova posted on Telegram.

Russia is currently persecuting 130 Ukrainian citizens on politically and religiously motivated charges, 121 of whom are in prison, including two women (15 – in the temporarily occupied Crimea, 106 – in the Russian Federation) and 9 people are deprived of their right to freedom of movement. According to Denisova, 76 people have already been sentenced to long terms, the remaining 45 people are on trial and investigation.

There are parents with many children, people with serious illnesses, citizen journalists, and human rights activists imprisoned Ukrainians.

The Ombudsperson noted that 207 minor children had been left without parental care.

"Neglecting international humanitarian law, the rights of Ukrainian citizens are being violated in illegal detention and imprisonment: to fair trial, effective remedy, freedom and personal integrity, medical care, and freedom of religion," Denisova stressed.

The ombudsperson added that she respected the resilience of all citizens of Ukraine, who are currently undergoing severe trials while illegally imprisoned in Russia, the temporarily occupied Crimea, and certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Day of Ukrainian Political Prisoner is marked annually on January 12 in honor of people who were arrested due to political reasons.

The tradition of marking the Day of Political Prisoner was introduced in 1975 at the suggestion of Vyacheslav Chornovil, who called for resistance to repression and brutality of the Soviet regime.

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