Photo exhibition Imprisoned Freedom dedicated to Ukrainian journalists detained by Russia opens in Brussels

A photo exhibition titled Imprisoned Freedom, dedicated to Ukrainian journalists illegally detained by Russia, has opened in Brussels. The opening took place at the European Parliament’s Info Hub on April 9. The exhibition will run until April 11.

According to the Institute of Mass Information, Russia is holding at least 30 civilian Ukrainian media professionals prisoner. Viktoria Roshchyna, who was tortured to death by Russian forces, is a central figure in the exhibition.

Photo provided by Iryna Zemlyana

Photo provided by Iryna Zemlyana

At the opening of the exhibition, Iryna Zemlyana, a media expert at the Institute of Mass Information, spoke about the fate of journalist Oleksandr Makhov, who had enlisted to defend Ukraine, and photojournalist Maksym Levin, who were killed by Russian troops. She called for all possible action to free media workers from Russian custody.

“Over 100 journalists have been detained by Russia since the beginning of 2014, and at least 30 journalists are in Russian custody today. This means that each of them may not make it out alive.

"After all, we do have the case of Victoria Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist who died in Russian custody aged 27. She was a young, healthy woman. What could they have done to her so that she did not survive? We have an obligation to do everything in our power to bring back Ukrainian journalists who are illegally detained by Russia on false charges,” said Iryna Zemlyana.

Iryna Zemlyana. Photo provided by Iryna Zemlyana

Photo provided by Iryna Zemlyana

The project is co-organized by: NGO Integrity UA, Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, Institute of Mass Information, media platform Promote Ukraine, supported by the International Renaissance Foundation.