JRL NEWSWATCH: “An outrageous penalty; As the World Cup begins, Russia should free Oleg Sentsov; A film-maker locked up for protesting against the annexation of Crimea is on hunger strike” – The Economist Editorial

Oleg Sentsov file photo, adapated from image at csce.gov

“… Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian film director serving a 20-year sentence … in Siberia. … was jailed for protesting against … Putin’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the war Russia’s president unleashed in eastern Ukraine …. Sentsov started a hunger strike demanding the release of all 64 Ukrainian political prisoners from Russian jails. The … World Cup … June 14th [opening] was [his] 32nd day without food. * * * … Putin’s regime … like its Soviet predecessor, is built on falsehood and the threat of violence. His actions in Crimea led to … war in eastern Ukraine … claim[ing] 10,000 lives, including … 298 passengers and crew … on a Malaysian Airlines plane … brought down by a missile supplied by the Russians …. Crimean Tatars have been terrorised, jailed or driven out …. Sentsov … should be freed immediately ….”

Click here for: “An outrageous penalty; As the World Cup begins, Russia should free Oleg Sentsov; A film-maker locked up for protesting against the annexation of Crimea is on hunger strike” – The Economist Editorial

[featured image is file photo]

Map of Ukraine, Including Crimea, and Neighbors, Including Russia

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