Russia illegally holding 218 persons, including at least 16 journalists

This was announced on Facebook by the President's Representation for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, reports Ukrinform.

"The representative office emphasizes that as of June 4, 2024, Russia is illegally holding 218 people, at least 16 of whom are reporters, civic journalists, and bloggers," the report reads.

The office recalled the names of those who had become Russia’s political prisoners for covering violations of human rights and freedom of speech in occupied Crimea: Iryna Danylovych, Osman Arifmemetov, Oleksiy Bessarabov, Timur Ibrahimov, Remzi Bekirov, Vilen Temeryanov, Marlen (Suleyman) Asanov, and Nariman Dzhelal.

It is noted that after the full-scale invasion of 2022, obtaining objective information from the occupied Crimea became even more challenging. With the latest legislation changes Russia significantly stepped up the oppression of media and facilitated the formation of lists of so-called ‘extremists’, illegally extending its law to the temporarily occupied territories. The practice also applies to ordinary Ukrainian citizens for posting on social media information or opinions unfavorable to the invaders.

The office expresses gratitude for the dedication and fearless work in amid the existing threats to everyone whose reporting sheds light on the war crimes of the aggressor state, committed, in particular, on the territory of Crimea. “We believe that soon freedom of speech will return to Crimea again, and journalists from all over the country will freely share the victories and feats of our society and state in the international space,” the statement concludes.

Earlier, Ukrinform reported that more than 100 Ukrainian and foreign journalists accredited in Ukraine have been affected by Russian aggression over the two years of full-scale war.