The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) insists that the head of RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal, Kirill Vyshinsky, who has been jailed in Ukraine since 2018 on charges of treason, should be released immediately, IFJ President Philippe Leruth confirmed in his comment to Sputnik
BRUSSELS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th May, 2019) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) insists that the head of RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal, Kirill Vyshinsky, who has been jailed in Ukraine since 2018 on charges of treason, should be released immediately, IFJ President Philippe Leruth confirmed in his comment to Sputnik.
Vyshinsky was detained in Kiev on May 15, 2018, on suspicion of treason and supporting the eastern Ukrainian breakaway republics. Given the charges, the journalist may face up to 15 years in prison. In March, a Ukrainian court extended Vyshinsky's arrest until May 24 and refused to return the case to the prosecution. Vyshinsky has recently said in his letter to fellow journalists that his mood remains "vigorous" even though he received no proper medical care in jail for half a year.
"Last year, the IFJ expressed its concern about Kirill Vyshinsky's detention and urged the Ukrainian authorities to let journalist work freely. One year after, this demand remains very strong and we keep requesting Kirill Vyshinsky's immediate release," Leruth told Sputnik.
He stressed that Vyshinsky should receive a "decent treatment" in prison and that the journalist had a right,� acknowledged by the European Court of Human Rights, for a "fair process in a reasonable time."
"One can ask whether one year is a reasonable time or not," Leruth added.
He slammed Ukraine for conducting a direct attack against press freedom by "arresting journalists because they are doing their work."
"Globally referring to the situation in Ukraine and particularly in Donbas, where several other journalists are also detained for doing their work, the IFJ asks for the immediate release of all of them. Journalism is not a crime," Leruth emphasized.
A rally of solidarity with Vyshinsky will be held later in the day near the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow. Journalists, public figures, human rights activists and all people concerned will attend the demonstration. They will hold banners with Vyshinsky's photos, symbols of solidarity with him and calls for release of the journalist.
Vyshinsky's case has been widely condemned globally. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Vyshinsky's arrest is politically motivated, adding that the incident demonstrates an unprecedented and unacceptable policy of Ukrainian authorities targeting journalists doing their jobs. The Russian Foreign Ministry has protested to Kiev, calling on the incumbent authorities to stop the crackdown on media.
Harlem Desir, the representative on freedom of the media at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has also expressed his concern over Ukraine's actions toward Vyshinsky and called for the journalist's release. Commenting on the situation, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger has said that all OSCE member states should comply with international standards and avoid interfering in the work of the media.
