UKRAINIAN NURSERY TEACHER JAILED BY RUSSIA [Russian Federation 17.25]

Dear Human Rights Commissioner,

I am writing to express concern for the treatment of Ukrainian civilians in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, and specifically for the retired nursery teacher, Olha Baranevska (Olga Baranevskaya). I believe she might have been targeted for her pro-Ukrainian sentiments. She disappeared from her home in Melitopol on May 15, 2024. A local resident reported seeing her briefly brought home, bruised, and escorted away by three ununiformed men on May 19, 2024.

On June 27, 2024, Olha was arbitrarily arrested by police for purportedly violating the curfew. Meanwhile, the authorities reported finding explosives in her garden. At the trial that followed in November, Melitopol Interdistrict Court convicted Olha Baranevska under Art. 222.1(1) of the Russian Criminal Code (unlawful possession of explosives) and sentenced her to six years in prison, based on questionable evidence, including Olha’s “confession”.

I urge you to ensure that Olha Baranevska is immediately and unconditionally released, unless credible evidence of a crime of which she can be plausibly suspected is presented. I ask that you ensure the circumstance of her abduction, arbitrary detention, alleged torture, and the alleged falsification of evidence are investigated, and all those suspected of these human rights violations are held accountable in fair trials.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]