Kiev should stop unlawful actions in relation to journalist Kirill Vyshinsky, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. Russia demands to release him as soon as possible, RIA Novosti reports.
Vyshinsky was left under arrest for another month - until January 27 – at the court session on December 27. His lawyer promised to appeal this decision.
Russian diplomats pointed out that the arrest of a journalist on trumped-up suspicion of high treason is contrary to international obligations undertaken by Kiev in the sphere of freedom of speech and freedom of the media. The ministry also called on relevant international structures to react and increase pressure on the Ukrainian authorities on this issue.
Russkiy Mir reported that Russia’s MFA had repeatedly demanded that the Ukrainian authorities immediately released the editor of the RIA Novosti - Ukraine portal. This issue was discussed at a meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with OSCE’s Secretary General, Thomas Greming. He, in turn, confirmed the OSCE’s was concerned about the arrest of the journalist.
Arlem Desir, who is the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, is convinced that Kiev needs to work more actively to investigate the Vyshinsky case. He reminded that serious accusations were brought against the journalist and the work needed to be carried out, observing all the principles of the law, necessity and proportionality.
Desir called on Ukraine to release Vyshinsky, but his appeal remained unheard.
Russkiy Mir
