In Crimea, the court rejected a complaint to extend the arrest of pro-Ukrainian activist Balukh

The Crimean Supreme Court rejected an appeal to change the measure of restraint for pro-Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh, reports Krym. Realities".

The report of the publication says that at the last meeting, the defense insisted on choosing a milder measure of restraint, because being in a pre-trial detention center is a harsher measure than the punishment chosen by Balukh - a colony-settlement.

The activist refused to speak during the court debate due to poor health: “I have been on a hunger strike for 18 days. No strength!". "Crimea. Realii” notes that Balukh could barely stand on his feet and leaned on the bars of the cage all the time.

The Activatika portal, citing Balukh's lawyer Olga Dinze, reported that the man had been beaten in the pre-trial detention center.

On March 19, the Crimean Supreme Court extended the preventive measure against Balukh until June 9. A criminal case was opened under Part 2 of Article 321 of the Criminal Code - the activist was accused of disorganizing the activities of the temporary detention facility, where he was imprisoned on charges of storing ammunition. The investigation claims that Balukh hit the head of the temporary detention center, while Balukh claims that the head himself beat him and insulted him.

On the same day, the activist went on an indefinite hunger strike, his health is deteriorating .

• Balukh is accused of illegal possession of ammunition and explosives based on the statement of FSB officers who allegedly found cartridges and TNT bombs in the attic of his wife's house.
• The defense drew attention to the fact that the prosecution did not have a single piece of evidence that Balukh had purchased ammunition. Lawyers also stated that other evidence was obtained in violation of the law: the message about the found ammunition was received at least two hours before they were found. In addition, most of the witnesses for the prosecution in court were not questioned at all.
• In August 2017, the activist was sentenced to three years and seven months in a penal colony, as well as a fine of ten thousand rubles. However, in October the court overturned the verdict and sent the case back for retrial. On January 16, 2018, Balukh was sentenced to three years and seven months in a colony-settlement. In March, the Crimean Supreme Court reduced the sentence by two months.