Over the past week, the Human Rights Ombudsman in the DPR received 5 appeals on detention of DPR residents, the press service of the Ombudsman reported.
This week was marked by the detention of eight DPR deminers by the Ukrainian side, who conducted mine clearance in the vicinity of Mariupol. When detained on the spot, two guys were killed. As usual, the Ukrainian authorities put forward a version of saboteurs caught in the territory controlled by Ukraine and offered to exchange these servicemen.
“We are ready to carry out the exchange. However, there is a procedure provided in the Package of Measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. I’ve told recently that we are against small exchanges and insist on the speedy implementation of the 6th paragraph, I also note – our side insists on pardon and prohibition of prosecution of all our guys. For us there is no difference between prisoners, whether it be military, civilian or political prisoner, we will fight for everyone, including those eight sappers who performed the humanitarian mine clearance operation. I have already added them to the exchange list, and if the Ukrainian side is ready to fulfil its obligations, then we may transfer them according to the procedure indicated since I no longer count on a gesture of goodwill from Ukraine,” said Daria Morozova.
In addition, on June 30, in the vicinity of Aleksandrovka checkpoint, the bodies of two servicemen who died near Pesky on July 25, 2014, were handed over. According to the Ombudsman’s Office, these servicemen were reported as missing. The transfer process took place in the presence of representatives of the Joint Ceasefire Coordination Centre and the OSCE mission observers.
During the week, the Ombudsman received 5 appeals on arrest, all of those people were deminers who conducted a mine clearance operation. Despite the fact that not all relatives of the captured persons turned to the Ombudsman’s Office, Daria Morozova has already included them in the exchange list.
At present, the Ukrainian side holds 962 people in places of deprivation of liberty, including 319 servicemen, 453 political prisoners and 150 civilians who are irrelevant to the conflict. Information on 40 people from the total number held by the Ukrainian side is being clarified by the Office of the Ombudsman.
492 people are reported as missing. Perhaps might be in Ukrainian captivity.
