Memorial considers Alexander Kostenko a political prisoner

HRC "Memorial" recognized as a political prisoner a resident of the Crimea, Alexander Kostenko, who was sentenced to a real term for throwing a stone at a police officer on the Kiev Maidan.

On June 29, 2015 Memorial Human Rights Center issued a statement in which he recognized as a political prisoner a resident of Crimea Alexander Kostenko, sentenced under Part 2 of Art. 115 (intentional infliction of minor bodily harm, which caused a short-term health disorder, committed on the basis of ideological hatred or enmity) and Part 1 of Art. 222 (illegal possession and carrying of firearms and ammunition) to 4 years 2 months in prison with serving in a penal colony.

" This criminal case is part of the political and information campaign launched by the Russian authorities against Ukraine and supporters of Euromaidan after the change of power in Kiev in February 2014 , – says in the document. - It's absurd that guilty of a crime allegedly committed by one citizen of Ukraine against another citizen of Ukraine on the territory of Ukraine, to liability attract the Russian authorities ."

"Memorial" considers the case of Kostenko fabricated and accuses law enforcement agencies in the use of torture: " There are serious grounds for believing that Kostenko was kidnapped and tortured during arrest and during detention. During his arrest, his arm was broken. and inflicted other injuries. Later, according to Kostenko, prisoners associated with the administration of SIZO-1 in Simferopol systematically pressured him both mentally and physically. They tried to force him to confess his guilt and compel to cooperate with the Russian special services" .

Alexander Kostenko should be immediately released, his sentence reviewed, and the people responsible for fabrication of the case - they are brought to justice, the Human Rights Center "Memorial" believes.

Recall that Kostenko was found guilty of throwing a stone at ensign Polienko, an employee of the Crimean special forces "Berkut", during the events on the Kiev Maidan, and causing slight harm to his health.

Sources

• Crimean participant of the Kyiv Euromaidan Alexander Kostenko is a political prisoner // HRC "Memorial". 2015. June 29.