17:20 23.08.2016

Nine Ukrainian political prisoners could be swapped after completion of Karpiuk, Klykh cases – Novikov

2 min read
Nine Ukrainian political prisoners could be swapped after completion of Karpiuk, Klykh cases – Novikov

A Russian defense lawyer well-known for defending Ukrainian political prisoners, Ilya Novikov, considers it appropriate to talk about the exchange of all nine Ukrainian citizens, the so-called non-Crimean prisoners, after completion of legal proceedings involving Stanislav Klykh and Mykola Karpiuk.

The lawyer said on 112.Ukraina TV channel that he had no illusions that the Russian Supreme Court, which has considered a complaint filed by the defense, would cancel the verdict both of Karpiuk and Klykh.

Novikov said the defense would file a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights, he stressed.

It would mean the end of the legal process. "But there is nothing more functioning, in my experience, than direct talks and some exchange option, the way it was with Soloshenko, Afanasiev and Savchenko," the lawyer said.

He added: "As far as I know about the position of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, it is inclined to address the "all for all" exchange mode, as well as the alternative - "many for many."

As reported, On May 19, 2016, The Chechen Supreme Court issued a guilty verdict against Ukrainian citizens Karpiuk and Klykh. According to Russian investigators, Klykh and Karpiuk were members of the Ukrainian National Assembly-Ukrainian People's Self-Defense (UNA-UNSO) group and fought on the side of armed units of the self-proclaimed republic of Ichkeria against Russian federal forces in 1994-1995. Investigators claimed they fought against Russian troops in Grozny, including in the area of Minutka square and near the presidential palace.

Ukraine's Justice Ministry requested the extradition of Karpiuk and Klykh to Ukraine, but Russia has yet to respond. A second request has been sent.

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