On March 10, 2021, Vladyslav Yesypenko, a freelance contributor to Crimea.Realities, was detained by Russian FSB officers in Crimea for allegedly collecting information “in the interests of Ukraine’s special services”.
On July 6, a court in Russian-occupied Simferopol extended Yesypenko’s detention – he will be held in a pre-trial detention center until at least December 18.
On the same day, an act of solidarity to stand with Vladyslav Yesypenko was held on Independence Square in Kyiv. Activists, independent journalists, human rights activists, and former political prisoners, including writer Stanislav Asieyev and director Oleh Sentsov demanded that the journalist be released from custody.
An online support campaign was launched for Yesypenko under the hashtag #FreeYesypenko.
On the following day, Vladyslav Yesypenko’s wife stood in a one-man picket outside the Office of the President to arrange a meeting between the Ukrainian leader and the families of political prisoners to discuss returning the prisoners home.
The US Department of State is also deeply disturbed by the detention of the Ukrainian journalist in Russia-occupied Crimea. This is stated in a tweet by Ned Price, a US government official.
We are deeply disturbed by the news that a court in Russia-occupied Crimea extended the six-month detention of @RFERL reporter Vladyslav Yesypenko. We call on Russia to end its crack down on independent voices and release all Ukrainian political prisoners now. https://t.co/mW4MEo6ZMc
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) July 8, 2021
Souspilnist Foundation expresses support for Vladyslav Yesypenko and other political prisoners.
Photo: Crimea.Realities