Russia: call for immediate release of Roman Sushchenko

"The accusations brought against Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, as well as his arbitrary detention, are yet another Russian act of aggression against rule-of-law principles and against the citizens of Ukraine. We strongly call for his immediate and unconditional release. We, moreover, demand for his rights to be protected and for granting the Consul of Ukraine unimpeded access to Mr Sushchenko, in accordance with the provisions of international law to which Russia has signed up. Given that numerous attempts to find a solution to ongoing tensions have already been made, this direct provocation is jeopardising any remaining trust and good will,” stated Jacek Saryusz–Wolski MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chair for Foreign Affairs, and Cristian Dan Preda, EPP Group Spokesperson in the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Roman Sushchenko is a correspondent for the Ukrainian information agency “Ukrinform” in France. He was arrested on 30 September while he was visiting his relatives in Moscow. On Monday Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) accused Sushchenko of being a Ukrainian intelligence officer.

“Mr Sushchenko is a recognised and respected journalist. We are outraged by this arbitrary act, an act of pure provocation given the hybrid war Russia is undertaking against Ukraine and its violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The EPP Group and the European Parliament have called on Russia on several occasions to release Ukrainian political hostages. We welcomed the release of Nadiya Savchenko, but we remember all those that are still detained in Russian prisons, such as Oleg Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko. There can be no business as usual with Russia as long as it doesn’t release all political prisoners and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” insisted Saryusz-Wolski and Preda.