Vyshinsky Case Drags On Over Fear Of Collapse In Court - Rossiya Segodnya Head

KOKTEBEL (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 24th August, 2018) The case surrounding the head of the RIA Novosti Ukraine portal, Kirill Vyshinsky, who was detained by Ukrainian security forces in May, is intentionally being slowed down because Kiev understands that it will fall apart in court, Director General of Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency Dmitry Kiselev said on Friday.

Vyshinsky was arrested on suspicion of treason over his reports and of allegedly supporting the self-proclaimed Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in Donbas. On May 17, a Ukrainian court ruled to arrest Vyshinsky for 60 days without bail, with the arrest later extended up to September 8.

"It has been 100 days since Kirill [Vyshinsky] was detained. He has been left to rot in some detention facility in [the city of] Kherson ... I just wanted to say that Kirill is in prison purely for professionally fulfilling his duty. This demonstrates the weakness of the regime that was formed as a result of a bloody coup. It's shameful, it's medieval, it's an inquisition. I am confident that the process is dragging on only because it will fall apart in court," Kiselev said at a press conference dedicated to the opening of the Koktebel Jazz Party festival.

He added that Vyshinsky would be able to overcome his hardship and called on all journalists to support him, pointing out that he was one of the founders of the jazz festival.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the journalist was arrested just for doing his job, which demonstrated an unprecedented and unacceptable policy led by the Ukrainian authorities. He also expressed hope that Vyshinsky would be freed with the help of international organizations that could put pressure on Kiev.