A court in Crimea extended the detention of a pro-Ukrainian activist

The Razdolnensky District Court of Crimea extended the detention in a pre-trial detention center of pro-Ukrainian activist Vladimir Balukh, who is accused of illegal possession of ammunition. This was reported by Crimea. Realities."

Balukh will remain in custody until at least January 16, 2018.

According to the activist, the only reason why he is being kept in prison is that he is Ukrainian.

Balukh is known for his public pro-Ukrainian position. On November 9, 2016, he placed a sign on the wall of his house “Vulitsa Nebesnoi Hundred Heroes, 18,” after which the chairman of the village council came to his home with threats.

The man was detained on December 8, 2016 after searches of his home and his mother’s house. Law enforcement agencies said that during the searches, cartridges and TNT blocks were found. According to the Crimean Human Rights Group, prohibited items could have been planted in the activist’s house.

On August 4, Balukh was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison. He was found guilty of storing ammunition and explosives (Part 1 of Article 222 of the Criminal Code). At the end of August, a criminal case was opened against the activist for beating the head of the temporary detention facility, Tkachenko, after a representative of Balukh filed a complaint with the police about the illegal actions of this head. The lawyer claims that Tkachenko threatened, insulted and hit his client in the face.

On October 2, the Supreme Court of Crimea overturned the verdict and sent the case to the court of first instance for additional investigation.