Brussels 24/08/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European world of cinema has renewed its support for the Ukrainian film director, Oleg Sentsov, held prisoner for more than a year by the Russian Federation, now that the trial is entering a new phase (see EUROPE 11153). In another letter sent out last week to the highest political leaders in the Russian Federation, including President Vladimir Putin, around thirty European cinema professionals and members of the European Film Academy (EFA) called for the immediate release of the Ukrainian director. They also denounce the continuation of the trial and accusations and the fact that the key witness for the prosecution has retracted his testimony. The signatories of the letter emphasize that “Having observed the trial and especially the fact that the key witness for the prosecution has retracted his testimony as 'given under pressure and duress', we are shocked that the accusation of Oleg Sentsov having committed 'crimes of a terrorist nature' is still being upheld”.
Given the recent facts that have been brought to light, they are calling on the Russian authorities to: 1) ensure the safety of Oleg Sentsov; 2) have the charges dropped due to insufficient evidence; 3) have the detainee released immediately and unconditionally; 4) ensure complete rehabilitation of the detainee; 5) instigate a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the apparently arbitrary detention by the Russian security services and Oleg Sentsov's statements about torture in order to bring all those responsible to justice
The Ukrainian filmmaker, Oleg Sentsov, was arrested by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) in his house in Simferopol on 11 May 2014. He was taken to Moscow where the trial is being conducted. The director is 38 years old and was a key figure in the pro-European movement in Kiev, which brought down the Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. He also spoke out against Russia's annexation of the Crimea. (Isabelle Lamberty)