The illegally convicted political prisoner Volodymyr Yakymenko from the Kherson region was again placed in punitive isolation in a Russian colony. This time – immediately for five months with the possibility of an extension.
This was reported to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center by his common-law wife Diana Chaikovska.
According to her, Yakymenko has already spent almost a third of his time in Russian detention in punitive isolation.
“Volodya was again placed in punitive isolation for five months with the possibility of extension. He spends almost a third of his time in captivity there”, – said Chaikovska.
The man has been in captivity for nine years. Relatives report a significant deterioration in his health. Volodymyr has constant headaches, stomach problems due to gastritis and an ulcer, as well as pain in his clavicle, ribs and bones from old fractures. In addition, neurological problems have begun, which may be a consequence of prolonged time in the isolation cell and harsh detention conditions.
Earlier the family said that he had been forced to agree to Russian citizenship and to change his documents. The occupiers justified this by claiming that the Kherson region is allegedly “Russian territory”.
Volodymyr Yakymenko was detained on June 11, 2017 at the administrative border with annexed Crimea. He was accused of transporting drugs. A Kremlin-controlled court sentenced him to 15.5 years in a penal colony.