MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th May, 2019) The media watchdog with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said Wednesday he would continue calling on Kiev to free RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal head Kirill Vyshinsky, one year since he was detained on trumped-up charges.
"Today marks one year of pre-trial detention for journalist Kirill Vyshinsky in Ukraine. No journalists should be jailed for their professional activity or dissenting opinions. I have called for his release and will continue to do so," Harlem Desir was quoted as saying by his office on Twitter.
Vyshinsky stands accused of treason and support for the two breakaway provinces in Ukraine's east. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail. His case will next be heard on May 24.
Vyshinsky's lawyer Andriy Domansky told MintPress last March that the journalist was arrested for allowing critical essays in the opinions section of the website he edited. The Ukrainian prosecution has recently opened a criminal case against the attorney on unrelated charges.�
