THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
A Statement by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and laureates of the Ihor Lubchenko National Prize for Protection of Freedom of Speech on the occasion of the third anniversary of the illegal detention of Radio Liberty journalist (Krym.Realii project) Vladyslav Yesypenko
Three years have passed since the illegal detention on March 10, 2021, of Radio Liberty journalist (Krym.Realii project) Vladyslav Yesypenko, laureate of the Igor Lubchenko National Prize for the Protection of Freedom of Speech.
This time showed both the courage of Vladyslav Yesypenko and the complete delusion of the false accusation of the occupiers against him. Illegally detaining the journalist and accusing him of “espionage activities,” the Kremlin henchmen, even after brutal torture for 27 days while Yesypenko was held in an unknown place, never found evidence of his “espionage activities.” These accusations, without being brought to court, were removed from the case file. In fact, it was a confirmation of Vladyslav Yesypenko‘s innocence and the recognition of his work as legitimate journalistic activity. Therefore, the situation required the removal of all charges, an acquittal, an apology, and the granting of complete freedom to our colleague, the punishment of those guilty of illegally persecuting the journalist and obstructing the performance of his professional duties.
Instead, contrary to the legal statement that journalism is not a crime, contrary to the legislation of Ukraine and russia, and contrary to international law, the occupation authorities did not release Vladyslav Yesypenko but falsified a new accusation stating that he allegedly possessed explosives, panting a grenade, on which the expert did not even find his fingerprints, to his car. However, contrary to the objective facts of the case, the russian occupation “court” convicted Vladyslav Yesypenko and imposed an illegal punishment. Ukrainian authorities, the NUJU, the International and European Federations of Journalists, human rights organizations of Ukraine, and the world recognized Yesypenko‘s case as politically motivated in their statements and demanded his release. However, he is still being illegally held in russian Kerch Correctional Colony 2.
At the same time, even in the conditions of deprivation of liberty, Vladyslav Yesypenko does not leave his journalistic activities. While in russian prison, he forwards his notes and comments to Radio Liberty. He also interviewed Ukrainian citizen Konstantin Shiring, who was detained by the russian FSB in Crimea on similar trumped-up charges of espionage and sentenced to 12 years in prison. After being published, this interview caused a wide resonance among human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and politicians.
The international community supports a journalist who fulfills his professional duties even behind bars. In addition to the Ihor Lubchenko National Prize for Protection of Freedom of Speech, Vladyslav Yesypenko was also awarded the Barbey Freedom to Write Award from the PEN Club of America (2022) and the Free Media Award 2022.
Taking into account all the evidence, the journalistic community of Ukraine is convinced that Yesypenko‘s case is a gross falsification by the FSB. The journalist should be free. The NUJU and journalists, who are laureates of the Ihor Lubchenko National Prize for Protection of Freedom of Speech, demand that the russian authorities drop all false charges against Vladyslav Yesypenko and release him from custody. All russian officials, employees of the so-called law enforcement agencies, lawyers, and judges involved in the falsification of the case of Vladyslav Yesypenko should be punished for forging the accusation and depriving the journalist of the right to an impartial trial.
Signed by:
- Sergiy Tomilenko, the President of the NUJU,
- Laureates of the Ihor Lubchenko National Prize for Protection of Freedom of Speech:
Stanislav Asieiev, laureate of the 2020 prize, Ukrainian journalist, writer, and human rights defender, who worked in occupied Donetsk, and, in 2017-2019, was held captive by the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, where he was “sentenced” to 15 years in prison. After his release on exchange, he was involved in social and political activities; now he is in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
Valerii Makieiev, laureate of the 2017 award, Ukrainian journalist, writer, lawyer, human rights defender, and NUJU secretary. In 2024, he was captured by the russians in the Luhansk Region, where he was held for 100 days.
Mykola Semena, laureate of the Award in 2016, Crimean Ukrainian journalist and secretary of the NUJU. In 2017, he was sentenced by the occupation regime to 2.5 years of probation; since 2020, he has lived in Kyiv.
Roman Sushchenko, laureate of the 2018 award, Ukrainian journalist, former prisoner of the Kremlin. He was detained in Moscow in 2016 and sentenced to 12 years in a strict regime prison in 2012. After his release in 2019, he is engaged in public and political activities on exchange. He is the first deputy chairman of the Cherkasy Regional Council.
Kyiv, March 8, 2024
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