Ukraine is deeply concerned with the continuing use of torture against illegally detained Ukrainian citizen Gennadiy Afanasyev by the employees of the Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation, the inhuman treatment and constant violation of his rights.

The detention on February 3rd, 2016 of the Russian lawyer Ernest Mezaka, who defends interests of illegally detained Gennadiy Afanasyev regarding the restoration of his violated rights in the colony, has become another proof of the increase of the pressure of Russian authorities  on Gennadiy Afanasyev.

The cynicism of Russian authorities is also displayed by the rejection to Ukrainian consular officers to visit Gennadiy Afanasyev during the past two months, despite the multiple requests by Ukrainian side.

We demand from the Russian side to ensure the rights of illegally detained citizen of Ukraine Gennadiy Afanasyev, immediately grant the permission for the Ukrainian consular officers to visit Ukrainian prisoner and to release him as being illegally convicted, and also to stop the persecution of his defenders.

We call on the international community to condemn the alarming violation of norms of international law and international treaty obligations in the field of human rights and freedoms which assume systematic character, and to continue the focused pressure on the Russian Federation with a view to release of Ukrainian citizens –political prisoners of Kremlin's aggressive policy.