The EU asks Russia to duly treat Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov - and eventually release him. Maja Kocijancic, the press secretary of the European External Action Service (EEAS) reported this as quoted by the service.
'Oleg Sentsov was jailed for alleged activities conducted on the Crimean Peninsula, the illegal annexation of which by the Russian Federation he strongly opposes. The EU considers the case to be in breach of international law and elementary standards of justice. Oleg Sentsov has shown incredible courage, determination and selflessness during his 145 days of hunger strike', the service reports.
'His health has now deteriorated to a critical state. In refusing to provide him with appropriate medical treatment in an institutionalized medical setting, the authorities of the Russian Federation have violated his human rights as well as their own human rights commitments under international law, namely the European Court of Human Rights interim measure of 25 July this year. The European Union stands in solidarity with Oleg Sentsov and, in addition to swift and appropriate medical treatment, expects his immediate release, along with all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in Russia and on the Crimean peninsula. International human rights standards on the peninsula must be upheld', the statement concludes.
As we reported, the Ukrainian branch of the Amnesty International considers it a torture to force-feed Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian political prisoner and film director. This is stated in the message of the organization on Facebook. 'We declare the inadmissibility of forced feeding, which is actually a form of torture, and we demand that Oleg receive timely and effective medical care,' the report says.
As is known, Oleg Sentsov stopped the hunger strike. The Russian side officially announced the statement by Sentsov but did not name the reasons. According to the lawyer of Sentsov, the decision to end the hunger strike was made after Russian doctors and penitentiary facility workers issued an ultimatum to Sentsov, suggesting that he either voluntarily stop the hunger strike or agree to be force-fed.
