On Monday, April 23, Elena Odnovol residing on the territory of Crimea, the head of the organization «Volunteers of Victory» was apprehended by the staff of the Security Service of Ukraine on the border with the Crimea at the checkpoint «Chongar». From mass media it became known that she could be charged with carrying out subversive activities against Ukraine to the detriment of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability that would result in a long prison term.

Considering the nature of volunteer activities of Elena Odnovol, this accusation seems far-fetched and cynical, especially on Eve of World War II Victory Day.

I urge UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Ukranian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights to intervene immediately in the situation with apprehension of Elena Odnovol and give assistance in her release.

As the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, I cannot stand aside and I call not only on international organizations, but also on my counterpart ombudsmen to condemn such actions by the Ukrainian authorities and to assist in preventing them.

Tatiana Moskalkova
High Commissioner for Human Rights
in the Russian Federation