BRUSSELS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 24th August, 2018) The European Union continues to follow the case surrounding the head of the RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal, Kirill Vyshinsky, and recognizes the right of states to ensure their own security, but with full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, a spokesperson for EU institutions told Sputnik on Friday.
Friday marks the 100th day since Vyshinsky was arrested by the Ukrainian authorities on suspicion of supporting the self-proclaimed Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as treason. Russian consular officials have been denied access to the journalist by Ukrainian authorities, who site Vyshinsky's Ukrainian citizenship as reason for doing so.
"We continue to follow this case," the spokesperson said.
He also referred to the statement of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir, who expressed his concern over the Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) actions and pledged to follow the developments surrounding Vyshinsky's arrest.
"The EU attaches the highest importance to the freedom of expression and of the media. The EU recognises the right of every country to ensure its national security and protect its citizens; this must be done in full respect of fundamental rights and freedoms, including, for the Members of the Council of Europe, the European Convention for Human Rights," the spokesperson stressed.
On May 15, the SBU broke into the office of the RIA Novosti Ukraine portal in Kiev and detained Vyshinsky. On May 17, a court in Kherson ruled that Vyshinsky should be arrested for 60 days without bail. On July 13, the court prolonged the arrest for two months until September 13. On August 6, the court shortened the term to end on September 8.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Vyshinsky's arrest was politically motivated, and demonstrated an unprecedented and unacceptable policy of Ukrainian authorities targeting journalists who were doing their jobs.
