“Russia is honing the mechanisms of repression against every “disobedient” journalist. But this does not give us the right to remain silent,” Sergiy Tomilenko

Although the international community does not have the opportunity to directly influence the Putin regime, the means of diplomatic and public pressure are important – both from the point of view of gathering materials for the future trial over Putinism and as one of the ways to achieve the release of hostages.

The President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, Sergiy Tomilenko, stated this on the broadcast of the Radio Liberty project Krym.Realii.

“At one time, there were also declarations of solidarity from Reporters Without Borders… the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) with journalists Mykola Semena, Roman Sushchenko, Stanislav Asieiev, and Mariya Varfolomieieva. Today, they are free. Such statements make it possible to keep cases in the information field and add to the mosaic of arguments, which will eventually lead either to exchanges or to the fact that certain mediators trying to communicate with russia will be able to achieve the unconditional release of civilians,” Sergiy Tomilenko said.

The President of the Union referred to authoritative NUJU experts, such as citizen journalist Liudmyla Huseinova, who spent three years in russian captivity. Now, she is helping the public sector fight for the release of civilian hostages, including journalists. Liudmyla Huseinova insists that every statement in support of prisoners is an important contribution to the cause of their liberation.

Sergiy Tomilenko added that the captured media workers Iryna Danylovych, Vladislav Yesypenko, and Iryna Levchenko and a significant number of citizen journalists are members of the NUJU.

“Their stories are close to us; we stand in solidarity with them and do everything possible for their release,” said Sergiy Tomilenko.

The NUJU President emphasized that the Union expects that a document in support of imprisoned Ukrainian journalists will be adopted at the annual congress of the European Federation of Journalists. In addition, the national journalist unions of Great Britain and many EU countries will declare their solidarity with them.

“Russia is honing the trials and mechanisms of repression on every “disobedient” journalist,” stated Sergiy Tomilenko. “But this does not give us the right to fold our hands and remain silent. And we are not silent.”

NUJU Information Service