Ukrainian military man Denis Muryga recognized as political prisoner

Human rights defenders have recognized Ukrainian military man Denis Muryga, who was sentenced by a Russian court to 16 years of imprisonment, as a political prisoner.

In June, in Rostov-on-Don, a court found Denis Muryga guilty of participating in an illegal armed formation (IAF). According to the investigators’ version, the man served as a deputy commander in a unit of the Ukrainian “Aidar”* battalion.

According to the sources’ information, Denis Muryga was detained on the border with Ukraine in the Rostov Region.

“The criminal case against Denis Muryga violates his right to a fair trial and contradicts the provisions of the Geneva Conventions concerning the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians in time of war,” reports the website of the “Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial” project.

The human rights defenders emphasize that the main evidence of the Denis Muryga’s guilt is his “confessional” testimony that he “gave under pressure from law enforcers without any assistance of a lawyer.”

The international law prohibits the prosecution of people for serving in a military formation, the human rights defenders point out.

Let us remind you that the Denis Muryga’s case was investigated under the article on participation in an illegal armed formation (IAF), although the “Aidar”* battalion was part of the ground forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

*Recognized as an extremist organization and banned in Russia by court’s decision.