Kaptur statement on Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian filmmaker wrongly imprisoned in Russia

As Co-chair of the bipartisan Ukrainian Caucus, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) released the following statement:

"I remain deeply troubled by the arrest and detainment of Crimean filmmaker, Oleg Sentsov by Russian authorities. Oleg took up the cause of liberty for Ukraine, speaking out against Russian aggression and its illegal occupation of Crimea. Tragically, over 75 days have now passed since Oleg begun his hunger strike in a Siberian prison, and his health is rapidly deteriorating. It is clear that the enemy of liberty has little regard for human rights, and seeks to globally undermine vital democratic values. I join the international community in calling on Putin to immediately and unconditionally release Oleg Sentsov, and all other Ukrainian political prisoners."

Kaptur was proud to adopt Sentsov's case for freedom as a part of the "Defending Freedoms Project" with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

Oleg Sentsov is a Ukrainian filmmaker from Crimea. In 2014, Sentsov was arrested by Russian occupying forces in Crimea due to his outspoken criticism of Russian aggression and its illegal occupation of Crimea. In a Soviet-style show trial without credible evidence, Oleg was wrongfully sentenced for 20 years and sent to a Siberian prison 3,000 miles from his home in Crimea. Since May 2018, Oleg has been on a hunger strike demanding the release of 64 Ukrainian political prisoners (not including himself). Tragically, his health is rapidly deteriorating. Read more here: https://www.rferl.org/a/european-parliament-urges-russia-to-release-sentsov-other-ukrainian-political-prisoners-/29290146.html