India has still not granted consular access to six detained Ukrainians, Foreign Ministry demands their release

The Indian authorities have not granted consular access to six Ukrainian citizens since their detention on 13 March. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is making every effort to secure their release.

Source: press service for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Details: On 27 March, the Special Court of India's National Investigation Agency ruled at a closed hearing to keep the detained Ukrainian citizens in custody until 6 April.

In a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, diplomats said that the Embassy of Ukraine in India is taking diplomatic response measures. In particular, Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk held meetings at India's Ministry of External Affairs and other relevant agencies, during which an official protest was expressed over the detention of the Ukrainian citizens in violation of their rights and India's obligations under national and international law. The ambassador also demanded the immediate release and return home of the Ukrainian citizens.

The embassy repeatedly notified India's Ministry of External Affairs requesting permission for consular access to the detainees, but as of 2 April, such permission had still not been granted.

In addition, a representative of the Consular Service Department of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry held a meeting with a consular official of the Embassy of India in Ukraine.

Quote: "The embassy continues to take measures to ensure proper legal protection and, as a result, the release of the citizens of Ukraine. The case remains under special control of the Foreign Ministry."

Background: Indian media outlets reported the detention of six Ukrainians in India on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stressed that there is no evidence confirming the involvement of these citizens in unlawful activity.

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