The European Union reiterates that all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in the Crimean peninsula and in Russia and the crew of the vessels captured by Russia on November 25 must be immediately released, that's according to a statement by Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
"International human rights observers must be granted full, free and unhindered access to the Crimean peninsula," the statement says.
The spokesperson recalled that Pavlo Hryb, a disabled, 20-year old citizen of Ukraine was abducted on August 24, 2017, in Belarus, and detained by the Russian authorities without any clear charges.
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"The European Union expects him to be immediately released and granted access to the special medical treatment he needs. Ukrainian doctors must be allowed to see him while he remains in detention, as required by a recent injunction from the European Court of Human Rights," Kosijancic said.
It is also noted that Crimean Tatar activist Edem Bekirov was detained on December 12, 2018, upon entry into the Crimean peninsula illegally annexed by Russia.
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"Mr Bekirov also needs daily medical assistance given his health condition. We expect him to be released without delay and granted access to urgent and appropriate medical care," the report reads.
The European Union also reiterated commitment to "fully implementing its policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol."
