Estonia condemns imprisonment of two Ukrainian citizens by Russia
Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand said Estonia condemns the imprisonment of Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov and activist Alexander Kolchenko by the Russian military court.
Kaljurand said the illegal detaintion of the two in annexed Crimea is not only in breach of international law, but also of human rights. “Russia must comply with international obligations and immediately free all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens,” she said.
Sentsov received 20 years and Kolchenko 10 years for allegedly plotting terrorist acts in Crimea. Both were arrested in May 2014 during protests against Russia's annexation of Crimea. Both denied the charges and plan to appeal.
Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko is still facing trial in Russia while Estonia itself has seen a similar case, with Estonian security official Eston Kohver, abducted from Estonia last September, sentenced to 15 years for alleged espionage.
Editor: J.M. Laats