Vyshinsky released for exchange in 35-for-35 formula

The release of Kyrylo Vyshynsky, the head of RIA Novosti Ukraine, was carried out in the framework of agreements on the prisoners swap between the Russia and Ukraine in the format 35 for 35, as the press officer of the Prosecutor General Larysa Sargan told on Twitter, Ukrinform reported. "They say, Vyshinsky refused of eventual swap against Kremlin’s political prisoners. But. Today at the court hearing, During today's court hearing, the change in the preventive measure against Vyshinsky took place as part of preparation for the 35-for-35 exchange and with the consent of Vyshinsky himself," – as Larysa Sargan said. Sargan also posted a scan of Vyshynsky's relevant statement. As news agency reported, a group of Ukrainian prisoners held in Russian jails has been transferred to a Moscow detention center, according to the latest information. Russian editions reported about an option of mutual transfer of detained persons in the format "33 for 33" between Ukraine and the Russia. The eventual date for the exchange is August 29. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia illegally detains more than 70 Ukrainians, including Ukrinform journalist Roman Sushchenko, who was sentenced to 12 years in the Russian colony for espionage. However, among those persons to be swapped, there are not included 24 Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia near the Kerch Strait at the end of November 2018. IMI reported, on August 28, the Kiev court of appeal released RIA Novosti Ukraine editor-in-chief Kirill Vyshinsky, suspect in treason, on own recognizance. On July 19, the Podilskyi district court of Kyiv detained Kirill Vyshynsky, editor-in-chief of RIA Novosti Ukraine, until September 19. On July 19, the Prosecutor's Office requested the Podilsky district court of Kiev to extend the term of detention in Vyshinsky for 60 days. On May 15, 2018, the SBU disclosed the activities of a network of media entities controlled by the Russian Federation used by the aggressor country in the framework of the hybrid information war against Ukraine. The SBU searched the RIA Novosti Ukraine office in central Kiev and detained its head, Cyril Vyshynsky. On the same day Vyshynsky was announced suspected of committing a crime and detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. Criminal proceedings are opened under part 1 of Art. 111 (“Treason”) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. On April 4, 2019, the Podilsky district court of Kyiv held hearing on the merits of the case of Kirill Vyshynsky. On April 15, 2019, the prosecutor's office accused RIA Novosti Ukraine 's head Kirill Vyshynsky of publishing 72 "anti-Ukrainian" articles. On May 27, 2019, the Supreme court of cassation joined the Supreme Court to dismiss the cassation appeal of Kirill Vyshynsky's attorneys against the decision of the Kherson city court of Kherson region of May 28, 2018 and the decision of the Court of Appeal of Kherson region of June 5, 2018 appeal proceedings. On July 19, 2019, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that Ukraine was ready to exchange RIA Novosti Ukraine head Kirill Vyshynsky against Ukrainian director illegally detained in Russia, Oleg Sentsov, but such an exchange should take place at the same time.