17:19 28.10.2015

Consuls finally visit detained Ukrainian citizens Karpiuk, Klykh in Chechnya

2 min read

The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has expressed its deep concern over the decision of the Chechen Republic, Russia, on October 26 to prolong the detention of Ukrainian citizens Mykola Karpiuk and Stanislav Klykh for another four months.

The ministry's spokeswoman Maryana Betsa told Interfax-Ukraine that Karpiuk and Klykh are political prisoners who have been held in custody under false pretences since March and August 2014 respectively, and have been tortured by Russian law enforcement agencies into giving false confessions.

"Despite numerous appeals by the Ukrainian side, within the pre-trial period of investigation the Russian agencies didn't provide permission for visiting by the officials of Ukraine the mentioned compatriots. The Ukrainian consuls succeeded for the first time to meet with Karpiuk and Klykh just after the court sitting on October 26, 2015," Betsa said.

The ministry called for an investigation into the violation of their rights and for their release, "along with the other citizens of Ukraine who became prisoners of Russia's aggressive policy."

As reported, Klykh and Karpiuk have been charged in Chechnya with leading and participating in a gang, killing two or more people serving in the line of duty, and attempting to kill two or more people serving line of duty.

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