The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the illegal and inhumane decision of the North Caucasus Regional District Military Court (in Rostov-on-Don) to sentence Ruslan Zeytullaev, a Ukrainian citizen illegally detained on the territory of the Russian Federation, to 12 years.

Regretfully, the ruling is a further proof that the Russian judicial system fully engages in the conditions prevailing in the totalitarian regime, it has become a tool of repression against dissent, injustice, dictatorship and Russian aggression.

Ruslan Zeytullayev’s case also confirms that Russia demonstrates no intent to stop discriminatory practices against members of the Crimean Tatar people, despite the relevant order of the International Court of Justice.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry demands that the Russian side: stop illegal actions against the citizens of Ukraine, restore respect for international law and respect the order of the International Court of Justice, and immediately release and ensure the safe return of Ruslan Zeytullayev to Ukraine.

We call on the international community to strengthen political and diplomatic pressure on the Russian Federation for the release of Ruslan Zeytullayev and other Ukrainian citizens who are illegally detained in Russia, and to together defend the lives, security and human rights of Ukrainian citizens who have become hostages of the Russian Federation's aggressive policy against Ukraine.