Ukrainian Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko has been released after spending over four years in Russian custody in Crimea. His release was confirmed by RFE/RL on Sunday, marking a significant development for press freedom and the treatment of journalists in the region.
Yesypenko was arrested on March 10, 2021, in Crimea, a region that was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. He was taken into custody on suspicions of gathering intelligence for Ukraine, allegations that he has consistently denied. The charge against Yesypenko was seen as part of a broader pattern of repression against journalists and activists in Crimea.
In February 2022, a court in Crimea that is aligned with Russian authorities sentenced Yesypenko to six years in prison on espionage charges. These charges were widely criticized as fabricated, not only by Yesypenko but also by his employer and various human rights organizations. Furthermore, he was later charged with possessing explosives, a claim he firmly denies. Notably, prosecutors later admitted that the grenade allegedly found in his car did not have his fingerprints on it, raising questions about the legitimacy of the evidence against him.
Subsequently, the main Moscow-controlled court in Crimea reduced Yesypenko's sentence to five years. During the trial, he revealed that he had been subjected to torture, including electric shocks, to force him into giving a false confession. This kind of treatment has been documented as a serious human rights violation, underscoring the risk faced by journalists and activists in conflict zones or under authoritarian regimes.
Stephen Capus, the chief executive of RFE/RL, expressed relief at Yesypenko's release, stating, “For more than four years, Vlad was arbitrarily punished for a crime he did not commit. He paid too high of a price for reporting the truth about what was taking place inside Russia-occupied Crimea.” Capus emphasized the psychological and physical torture Yesypenko endured during his imprisonment and thanked the U.S. and Ukrainian governments for their efforts to secure his release.
Following the news of Yesypenko's release, Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak publicly thanked all those who played a part in facilitating this outcome. The timing of Yesypenko’s freedom coincided with the release of Ihar Karnei, a longtime correspondent for RFE/RL who was recently freed from prison in Belarus after a rare visit from a senior U.S. official, suggesting a potentially renewed focus on the plight of detained journalists in Eastern Europe.
The story of Vladyslav Yesypenko serves as a reminder of the significant challenges faced by journalists working in hostile environments, particularly in regions experiencing conflict and political repression. His release not only brings hope to his family and supporters but also highlights the importance of international advocacy for press freedom and human rights.
