RSF and EFJ condemned Yesypenko's sentence as mockery and parody of justice
The sentence to Vladyslav Yesypenko, a freelancer for Krym.Realii (RFE/RL) is a mockery of justice, as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said about the sentence to the journalist issued by controlled by Russia Simferopol District Court, as Radio Svoboda reported.
The human rights organization denounced Yesypenko's detention as such made on "baseless charges" and demanded his immediate release.
“RSF condemns a mockery of justice after a #Russia-controlled Court in #Crimea sentenced #Russian??-#Ukrainian?? reporter Vladyslav Yesypenko to 6 years in jail for alleged "possession of explosives". Detained on baseless charges & tortured, he must be released now! #FreeYesypenko", RSF said on its official Twitter page.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) found Yesypenko's sentence to be a "parody of justice".
" We condemn a parody of justice. Yesypenko has been detained on baseless charges and tortured. He must be released now! We call on the Russian Federation to end the persecution of the other professional and citizen journalists illegally detained. Furthermore, the EFJ/IFJ urges international organisations such as OSCE, Council of Europe and UNESCO to react firmly and demand Russia to respect the press freedom and journalistic work,” added EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez, ” said EFJ Secretary General Ricardo Gutierrez.
As IMI reported, on February 16 The Simferopol district court controlled by Russia sentenced the freelancer for Krym.Realii (RFE/RL) Vladyslav Yesypenko to 6 years in a penal colony. Russian judge Dlyaver Berberov also fined the journalist 110,000 rubles (about $1 464).
As IMI reported, on February 15 the prosecutors in the occupied Crimea demanded 11 years of imprisonment in case of illegal storage and transportation of the explosive device.
Yesypenko's lawyer Dmytro Dinze said that all the arguments in favor of his acquittal were presented at bar. Speaking in court on February 15, Yesypenko said the case was politically motivated.
On July 15, 2021, in the Russian-controlled Simferopol District Court, a Russian prosecutor issued an indictment in the case of Vladislav Yesypenko. He is charged under Articles 223-1 (illegal manufacture of explosives, processing or repair of explosive devices) and 222.1 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of weapons, their main parts, ammunition) of the Criminal Code of Russia.
Penalty under the both articles imposes up to 12 years in prison. The maximum term of imprisonment under a combination of two articles is 18 years.
As IMI reported, on March 10, Russian FSB officers detained Vladyslav Yesypenko in the occupied Crimea. Yesypenko took part in the action dedicated to Taras Shevchenko's anniversary, which took place in Simferopol on March 9. Vladyslav Yesypenko is charged with gathering information "in the interests of Ukraine's special services," including for the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Russian FSB's Public Relations Center reported on March 16. According to the FSB, Yesypenko "carried out photo and video recording of the area, livelihoods and places of mass stay of people in the Crimea."
As IMI reported, on April 6, Vladyslav Yesypenko said that FSB investigators had tortured him.
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