Criminal trials of Ukrainians detained in Crimea

10.12.2014

Question for written answer E-010531-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz (PPE)

Ukrainian citizens Oleh Sentsov, Hennadiy Afanasiev, Oleksiy Cherniy and Oleksandr Kolchenko were abducted by Russian FSB agents in occupied Crimea in May 2014. They are accused of preparing acts of terrorism on the Crimean peninsula. They are currently being held at Lefortovo prison in Moscow. There is reason to believe that the Ukrainian detainees have been tortured. Furthermore, one of the detainees was for a time placed in a psychiatric hospital. The Russian authorities are refusing to allow the detainees to seek assistance from Ukraine’s consulate — which they are entitled to do as Ukrainian citizens — because, without their agreement, they have been given Russian citizenship following the annexation of Crimea.

Is the Commission monitoring the criminal trials of Oleh Sentsov, Hennadiy Afanasiev, Oleksiy Cherniy and Oleksandr Kolchenko? If so, could it please provide details as to how the detainees are faring?

What steps is the Commission intending to take, or what has it already done, to ensure that they are given fair trials?