Brussels, 11/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European cinema world is continuing to demonstrate solidarity with the Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, arrested by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) on 11 May because of his pro-European ideas. After sending a letter to the Russian authorities in June and launching a support fund in July, the European Film Academy (EFA) has announced Oleg Sentsov's symbolic participation as a member of the main jury at the Donostia/San Sebastian Film Festival on 19-27 September. The aim is to draw attention to his case and symbolise his absence with an empty chair. The Spanish festival is the latest joining this solidarity campaign started by the European Film Academy at the Motovun Film Festival in Croatia. The organisers of the Mostra Venice Film Festival also joined this campaign, as stated in a press release, to show their solidarity, and further festivals will follow. Special screenings of Oleg Sentsov's first feature film “Gaamer” are also planned in various cities. Following a solidarity film week in Kiev, there will be a special screening in Berlin on Thursday 11 September. Sentsov's producer Olga Zhurzhenko explained that all these activities “can only bring more international attention to the case, which we believe is crucial to the continued attempts of his lawyers not to allow this issue to be forgotten in the public eye both in Moscow, at home and abroad”.
Following a signed a letter sent to the Russian authorities from a number of renowned European cinema professions on 10 June (see EUROPE 11098), the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation indicated: “Based on the evidence collected, O.G. Sentsov has been accused of committing crimes of a terrorist nature”. What this evidence consists of, however, remains unclear, explains the EFA. The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation also stated that “the proof received in connection with the investigative proceedings bears evidence of […] O.G. Sentsov's direct complicity in criminal acts”. Again, what that proof might be and how it bears evidence remains unknown and this time the letter does not mention behaviour of a “terrorist nature”. Both letters, however, indicate that they see no reason for revision or grounds for withdrawing the criminal investigation into O.G. Sentsov. Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed with the European Court of Human Rights regarding Oleg Sentsov's detention until the date of his trial planned for 11 October. In an effort to help Oleg Sentsov, the European Film Academy has opened a bank account to collect donations to cover legal expenses and help his family (see EUROPE 11121). (IL)