The U.S. state Department has demanded from the Russian authorities to release from prison, Ukrainians — film Director Oleg Sentsov and activist Vladimir Baluku, as well as more than 150 political and religious prisoners.
Yesterday, June 18, a press-the Secretary of the Department of state Heather Nauert wrote on Twitter that the U.S. is concerned about the state of health of prisoners of Ukrainians who went on hunger strike. In this regard, Russia has to release Sentsov and Balaju.
The U.S. is deeply concerned by the growing number — more than 150 — of political & religious prisoners held by the Russian government. We call on #Russia to release these prisoners immediately & cease its use of the legal system to suppress dissent & peaceful religious practice. pic.twitter.com/HpkeoXyhed
— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) June 18, 2018
In the document published Neuert, also referred to the head of the Grozny mission of the human rights center «memorial» Oub Titiev, was arrested in January of this year. It is human rights, which documented human rights violations in Chechnya.
Today, June 19, Nauert added that Washington is concerned about the rapidly increasing number of political and religious prisoners held by the government of Russia. The spokesman demanded an end to the use of legislation to stifle peaceful dissent and religious practice.
Most likely, Neuert is referring to the oppression of religious minorities, such as the «Jehovah’s Witnesses». The state Department said earlier that after the adoption in 2016 of the so-called law of Spring , the police conducted numerous raids and arrested followers of the international religious organization. Such actions of the authorities caused concern in Washington.
As for whales, it’s been more than one month from the date when the Director announced the beginning of the hunger strike, deciding thus to draw attention to the illegal actions of the Russian authorities, which keep people in prison for political reasons. Sentsov wrote a letter to the»Big seven», in which he thanked leaders of the G7 countries for the support of Ukraine and drew attention to the pressing problem faced by some Ukrainians, including him.
