EU imposes sanctions on 15 people involved in torture of Ukrainian prisoners, including at Olenivka

The EU has imposed sanctions on 15 individuals and one Russian penal institution over their involvement in the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees.

Source: Council of the European Union press service, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Council of the European Union decided on 13 July to impose restrictive measures on 15 individuals responsible for serious human rights violations in connection with the treatment of Ukrainian military personnel and civilian detainees in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia.

The sanctions were adopted under the EU's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, established in December 2020.

Among those sanctioned is the first deputy head of the prison in Olenivka in Donetsk Oblast, who is considered directly responsible for the mass killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war there on 28-29 July 2022 by delaying the evacuation of those who were seriously wounded as well as for the systematic torture and humiliation of Ukrainian prisoners.

The sanctions also target several other senior members of staff at the Olenivka prison.

Also included on the list are Aleksei Khavetsky, head of security at Penal colony no. 7 in Pakino, Russia, who is considered to have organised the systematic torture and abuse of Ukrainian prisoners at the facility and Federal Security Service (FSB) officer Yan Zanevsky, who is linked to the arbitrary detention and torture of Ukrainian civilians in Kherson, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts during the Russian occupation.

The penal institution placed under sanctions is Pre-trial detention centre-2 Taganrog, where Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was among those tortured to death.

A further seven individuals have been sanctioned for the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia.

They include Aleksandr Gnutov, the head of Penal Colony No. 10 in Udarny, his deputies and Galina Mokshanova, the head of the medical unit of the same penal colony. Hundreds of Ukrainians were held at Penal Colony No. 10. Former detainees have testified to systematic torture and abuse, mock executions and the denial of medical care.

"The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the torture, ill-treatment and killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, calls for unhindered access by independent monitors, including the International Committee of the Red Cross to all detainees, and reiterates the need to ensure accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law," the statement says.

Background:

• The EU also imposed sanctions on companies that help Russia carry out surveillance of the population.
• EU ambassadors will meet in an extraordinary session on 14 July to approve the 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
• During meetings in Brussels on 13 July, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for the creation of an international mechanism to protect civilian hostages.

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