Political prisoner Balukh transferred to Russia hungry and without belongings
“The Crimean Human Rights Group found out that Volodymyr Balukh was taken to Krasnodar. It is unknown how long he will be there. He was hungry when he was transferred from a remand prison in Simferopol and he failed to take any personal belongings. Nobody explained to him why he was transferred,” the Crimean Human Rights Group posted on Facebook.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Akhtem Chiygoz said that Balukh had been transferred to Krasnodar.
As reported, the cassation motion in the case of Balukh was filed by deputy “prosecutor” of Crimea, Sergei Bulgakov, a former employee of the Ukrainian prosecutor’s office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, against whom the criminal proceedings were opened under Part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason).
On January 25, the Russian-controlled Kerch city court refused to grant parole to Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh.
The Kremlin-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea sentenced Balukh to 4 years and 11 months in prison and a fine of RUR 10,000.
The Federal Security Service of Russia detained Volodymyr Balukh on December 8, 2016. The FSB officers claimed that they had found 90 cartridges and several TNT blocks in the attic of his house. Balukh's defense team and human rights defenders say that he is a victim of repression for his pro-Ukrainian position – Ukraine's flag in the courtyard of his house.
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