The Russian military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced Crimean artist Bohdan Ziza to 15 years in a penal colony. He will spend the first four years in prison.
Earlier, the Russian prosecutor’s office demanded 18 years of strict regime. Speaking with the last word in the military court of Rostov-on-Don, Ziza said that he was going on a hunger strike in protest and would refuse food from July 10. He also demanded to be stripped of his Russian citizenship, which he received after the annexation of Crimea, and that all Ukrainian political prisoners be released from Russian prisons.
We remind you that on the night of May 16, 2022, Ziza poured paint in the colors of the Ukrainian flag and tried to set fire to the doors of the Yevpatoriia administration, protesting against the war. He was detained the next day. Ziza was accused of committing a terrorist attack, threatening to commit a terrorist attack and calling for terrorism for a video message that he recorded at the same time as the action.
It should be noted that the accusations in this case are based on the testimony of hidden witnesses and the conclusion of so-called experts actively cooperating with the Russian security forces. The case was considered in gross violation of international law.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center strongly protests and states that this decision is illegal, politically motivated and criminal. Such a policy of the Russian Federation Federation is a demonstration of the struggle against the political beliefs of the people of the occupied Crimea.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center demands the cancelation of the sentence against Bohdan Ziza and the immediate release of other political prisoners.