Brussels, 14/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Film Academy (EFA) is very concerned by recent developments in the affair involving Ukrainian cinematographer Oleg Sentsov and has launched a support fund to help raise the money needed to meet the legal costs for defending the artist and providing support for his young children. Sentsov supported pro-European demonstrations in Kiev and denounced Russia's annexation of the Crimea. He was accused of supporting terrorist activities and was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Services (FSB) at his home on 11 May and was taken to Moscow. The EFA sent a letter to the Russian authorities, co-signed by leading European directors, which expresses their concerns about the fate of the cinematographer (see EUROPE 11098). Despite Sentsov's denials of the charges brought against him, following a hearing at a court in Moscow, the judge decided, on 7 July, that the artist should remain in prison until the date of his trial set for 11 October. The EFA has highlighted its fears of torture being used against Sentsov and has concerns for his life. A complaint has also been lodged at the European Court of Human Rights. (IL)