Ukrainian citizen illegally imprisoned by Russian proxy forces suffers from a heart condition
Volodymyr Cherkas, a Ukrainian citizen illegally imprisoned for over four years by Russian proxy forces at Makiivka Correctional Facility No. 97 in the non-government-controlled part of Donetsk Oblast, is suffering from a heart condition, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Human Rights Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova said on the Telegram instant messenger on Dec. 30.
“Armed paramilitaries unlawfully captured Volodymyr Cherkas in Donetsk on Sep. 6, 2017,” the ombudswoman said.
“He came to Donetsk after his father passed away, in order to help his ill mother leave (the non-government-controlled area of Donetsk Oblast).”
Ukrainians released by their pro-Russian captors alerted the government to Cherkas’ whereabouts in Dec. 2019.
“Russia-backed insurgents tortured, beat and coerced Cherkas into hard labor for over two years at the infamous Isolation Penitentiary, all on phony ‘charges’ of espionage and subversive activity,” Denisova said. “As a result of this torture, Cherkas’ health deteriorated: he suffers from a heart condition and chronic hypertension.”
“He is denied proper medical treatment and any kind of communication with his family. As he is a father five, three underage kids of his are being forced to grow up without their dad.”
“I’m urging Charlotta Relander, the coordinator of OSCE’s Humanitarian Working Group and the officials of the International Red Cross in Ukraine to ensure Cherkas receives appropriate medical care, and to facilitate his release,” Denisova said.
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