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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Ukraine Captured Journalist – Solomko
HEADLINE: Family, Colleagues of Imprisoned Ukrainian Journalist Working for His Release
TEASER: Vladyslav Yesypenko was sentenced for weapons crimes in Crimea; human rights groups say he is a political prisoner
PUBLISHED AT: 9/20/2022 AT 8:15AM
BYLINE: Iryna Solomko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: New York
VIDEOGRAPHER: Iryna Solomko
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Holly Franko
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, credits TBA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:26
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:))
((INTRO:))
[[Russians have held Vladyslav Yesypenko, a Ukrainian journalist employed by VOA’s sister network Radio Free Europe, in captivity in Crimea for 18 months. He was arrested on charges of illegal possession of weapons, which he denies. In February, he was sentenced to a penal colony. Some human rights organizations believe he is a political prisoner. Iryna Solomko has the story.]]
((NARRATION))
Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko has been imprisoned in Russian-annexed Crimea on weapons possession charges, which he denies. In mid-August, Crimea’s supreme court reviewed Yesypenko’s appeal and reduced his sentence from six to five years in a penal colony.
Yespenko's wife, Kateryna Yesypenko, says she tried but couldn’t send him a package on September 1st, and for the next two weeks, neither she nor his lawyer knew his whereabouts. On September 16th, Vladyslav Yesypenko called from a penal colony in Kerch.
((Volodymyr Prytula, Krym.Realii Executive Producer)) ((UKR)) ((ZOOM))
“Kerch has its advantages. First of all, climate — it’s not Siberia. On top of that, since he’s in Kerch, his Simferopol-based lawyer will be able to contact him.”
((NARRATION))
Kateryna Yesypenko said her husband was happy to be sent to the colony — the time he spent at the detention facility was tough.
((Kateryna Yesypenko, Vladislav Yesypenko’s Wife)) ((UKR)) ((ZOOM))
“He’s been in a tiny cell for 18 months; it’s been psychologically and emotionally exhausting for him.”
((NARRATION))
Tetiana Pechonchyk, board chairperson at the human rights center Zmina, calls the Yesypenko case a typical example of Russian occupational tactics — falsifying cases.
((Tetiana Pechonchyk, Zmina Board Chairperson)) ((UKR)) ((ZOOM))
“Vladislav Yesypenko was first kidnapped by FSB [Russian Federal Security Service] people, then they planted weapons that they later supposedly found in his car. Then torture followed — he was physically tortured to make sure he confessed. We believe it’s a fabricated case linked to his journalism work – he continued to go to occupied Crimea and collect material for Radio Free Europe. His sentence should be annulled, and Yesypenko should be freed.”
((NARRATION))
Yesypenko’s lawyers, colleagues and family hoped there would a chance for his release in a prisoner exchange, but then the war in Ukraine started.
((Kateryna Yesypenko, Vladislav Yesypenko’s Wife)) ((UKR)) ((ZOOM))
“The ombudsman’s office barely does any exchanges – it’s the military intelligence agency’s job these days. There might be some progress, but no one can promise anything.”
((NARRATION))
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said his office asked Russia to pass all the prisoners over, but no progress has been made.
((Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Ombudsman)) ((UKR)) ((ZOOM))
“We’ve raised this issue and we will continue to do so, but they get annoyed about anything connected with Crimea. // It’s a matter of principle for us to get everyone back. And Ukraine’s Armed Forces are doing the most to make sure our citizens come back home.”
((NARRATION))
Pechonchyk says that since the war began, no political prisoners have been released — on the contrary, their number has increased, as journalists who tried to report on Crimea were arrested.
((Tetiana Pechonchyk, Zmina Board Chairman)) ((UKR)) ((ZOOM))
"It’s important for us to keep the attention and focus on political prisoners.”
((NARRATION))
Yesypenko’s colleagues are also doing what they can to fight for his release.
((Volodymyr Prytula, Krym Realii Executive Producer)) ((UKR)) ((ZOOM))
“The president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty keeps raising this issue during meetings with Ukrainian authorities, as well as with U.S. politicians and international organizations. We’ll see if this will result in anything."
((NARRATION))
According to Prytula, Yesypenko’s case has made the work of independent journalists in Crimea more difficult, and some had to cease activity.
((For Iryna Solomko in New York, Anna Rice, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)New York
BylineIryna Solomko
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
