“Down with Putin, bring Kolchenko home!”

On April 6, another action of solidarity with Oleksandr Kolchenko was arranged. The Crimean is held prisoner in Lefortovo, Moscow, for almost a year, he is tried on the grounds of alleged terrorism. As Oleh Sentsov and Nadia Savchenko, Kolchenko is on the list of the “political prisoners.”

It is that day, April 6, when another court session on Oleksandr’s case had been scheduled, thus the place for the picket – the Russian embassy in Kyiv – was obvious. Those who came to express their support, brought placards: “Free Tundra!” (Tundra is Oleksandr’s nickname), “The fight for freedom will not succumb to prison,” “Our solidarity is stronger than your jails” and other. The activists also chanted “Liberty! Equality! Global solidarity!” and “Down with Putin, bring Kolchenko home!” The protesters were separated from the embassy by two fences and a barbed wire; and also by almost two dozens of guards – about one guard for two activists. Some people in the uniform of the “22nd MIA separate brigade” [tasked with protection of diplomatic missions. – Author] filmed the activists on cameras.

“The only Oleksandr’s ‘misdeed’ is his refusal to recognize the occupation of Crimea,” says Oleksandra Romantsova from Center for Civil Liberties. “He organized many actions on anti-fascist and social grounds – how could they indict him with a preparation of terrorist acts?”

The activists say that Kolchenko is now subject to psychological pressure; however, he did not claim he was beaten or tortured. The problem is that he is tried as if he was a citizen of Russia, though he many times insisted on being recognized as a Ukrainian. This circumstance complicates the involvement of Ukrainian officials, including the Embassy of Ukraine, in this case. Meanwhile, only a few days ago the Prosecutor’s Office of Pechersk district in Kyiv filed a case on kidnapping of the Crimean activist. The pre-trial investigation now commences.

According to legal experts, the new criminal code of Russia allows trying Kolchenko in Rostov-on-Don, where military tribunals take place – and it is feared that the hearings might be closed. The activist faces 10 to 20 years in prison.