Ukrainian intellectuals voice support for political prisoners

Political prisoners became a reality in Ukraine in 2010, reads a statement signed by Ukrainian writers and scholars, Ukrayinska Pravda reported Feb. 25.

“The countries in the world can be classed by whether they have political prisoners or not. Over the past year, the regime has been successfully moving Ukraine on the way to becoming a rogue state,” the statement says.

“Criminal investigations have been opened against small and medium business representatives – on a laughable charge of damaging the tiles on the Kyiv’s central square, Maidan. Nine Ukrainians have been put behind bars for beheading the illegally erected monument to Stalin.

"Many officials of the former cabinet have been charged with committing crimes, with the regime heavyweights pronouncing them guilty before their charges are examined by the court. Simultaneously, arrogant budget pilfering is being done in broad daylight with impunity,” the statement continues.

Instead, the regime has freed from prisons criminals and several children of highly placed officials accused of killing Ukrainians while recklessly driving their posh cars.

One of the deputy prosecutor generals performed in public a trademark song of criminals.

“The real purpose of political persecution is to paralyze the civic activity in Ukraine. The regime wants Ukrainians to forgo the idea that they are the true source of power and can elect the authorities they desire,” the statement continues.

“The responsibility for the lack of a just judiciary lies with the regime which, without any elections, grabbed the authority it now has.

"Contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution, the central government now in power rules without the mandate from the people. Efforts are being made to rid Ukrainians of the right to elect the local government,” the statement says.

“We raise our voices in support of those who are subjected to political persecution in Ukraine, regardless of their political affiliation or former posts."

"Every political prisoner must have access to effective political, legal and other supprt."

The statement was signed among others by writers Yuriy Andrukhovych, Dmytro and Vitaly Kapranovs, Serhy Zhadan, honorary president of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy Vyacheslav Briukhovetsky, secretary of the National Union of Writers Mykhailo Slaboshpytsky.

The statement was also signed by journalists Vahtang Kipiani, Myroslav Marynovych, Mykola Knyazhytsky and others.