In annexed Crimea, Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh was sentenced to five years of ordinary-regime correctional colony and a fine of 10 thousand rubles. This is not the first sentence for a Ukrainian, this time the criminal case was initiated because of the statement of the head of the temporary detention facility that was allegedly beaten by Balukh. We remind you that Ukrainian activist has been starving since March 19 because of his disagreement with the prosecution. Further information – in reactions from DUMKA.
Before moving on to actual reaction of the network to another rigged verdict against Ukrainian Bandera disciples, I offer you the letter written by Balukh himself. Message’s date is the 5th of July. In his letter activist thanked for support and faith, he named them invaluable treasure. “ The truth is that during Maidan from hands of the Kremlin’s minions died Heroes, people named them “Heavenly Hundred” The truth is that our flag symbolizes the decent management of our God-given and the unstoppable quest for the knowledge of the universe”, Volodymyr wrote.
President of Ukraine stressed that today’s verdict, which was declared to the Ukrainian patriot, can only be described as a massacre. After all, the person that raised Ukrainian flag above his own house is simply methodically destroyed for his deed. Petro Poroshenko also stressed that Ukraine will go on its fight for every hostage.
Diplomat Aleksandr Shcherba listed all the methods and mechanisms of influence that Moscow cynically applies against Ukrainian activists who were not afraid to publicly declare their position: 5 years for raised flag for Balukh, 20 years for the allegedly intention to blow up a monument for Sentsov, shots in the eye, bullets in the head and ripped out stomachs for our other boys. Can you forget this? You will never be able to forget this.
Tetyana Pechonchik, chairman of the NGO “Human Rights Information Center” stressed that Crimean court gave Balukh another sentence. Thus it violated fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law. This is the third sentence for Ukrainian activist in a third fabricated case against him. As of July 5, Balukh is starving for the 109th day.
Journalist Anastasia Pashynska is convinced that the new verdict for Balukh is a signal that Kremlin will demonstratively bully its hostages, until Ukraine surrenders and recognizes the “fraternity” of the peoples. At the same time Moscow cynically violates all the laws, human rights and even internal laws that it can violate.
Instead, lawyer and human rights defender Serhiy Mokrenyuk stressed that we should not be surprised by the sentences to Balukh and others, whom Russians filed artificial charges. According to Mokrenyuk, Putin only needs at least something to have the basis for exchange of his terrorists detained or convicted by our law-enforcement. The difference is in the following: We want to return political prisoners of Putin and they want terrorists.
But journalist Olga Duhnich is convinced that today’s verdict is the price to be a Ukrainian in Crimea. There and now it is much more expensive than at the mainland of the country. Therefore, recalling Crimea, you should remember the price paid by people who live there and want to preserve their dignity.
And finally, a brief but meaningful and important proposal from the writer Andriy Kurkov: Balukh should become a Hero of Ukraine.
Reactions were collected by Stepan the Goat
