RUSSIA TRIED TO DETAIN WITNESSES OF KARPYUK AND KLIKH'S INNOCENCE

In the city of Grozny (Chechnya, Russia) employees of Russian Migration Service  attempted to detain two Ukrainians, who arrived to Russia to give evidence in the case of Mykola Karpyuk and Stanislav Klikh, two Ukrainians, who were arrested on accusation of taking part in the Chechnya war in 1994-95, where they allegedly killed 30 soldiers of the Russian Federation. This was reported by their attorney Dokka Itslayev.

After the court session the witnesses were immediately taken out of Russia, this was told by Ukrainian Consul Alexander Goncharov.

During the yesterday's court session the evidences of the Ukrainian political prisoners innocence were sounded by Karpyuk's and Klikh's families members and Maria Tomak, a Ukrainian journalist and an employee of the Center for Civil Liberties. In particular, Maria noted that in the period of 1994-1995 Mykola Karpyuk was looking after his ailing mother, and Klikh was studying at the Kyiv National University.

The Ukrainians' attorney also said that to avoid problems he decided to accommodate the witnesses in his own apartment.

"Assuming that that there could be all sorts of provocations I settled them at my home. However, this morning, shortly before the start of the court session employees of migration service had came to my house and tried to detain my guests, as they are were not registered at the present location." - told Dokka Itslayev.

Despite that, the attorney managed to ensure the Ukrainian witnesses safe arrival to the Grozny city court, where they were interrogated within the court session. According to him, the witnesses clearly explained that no Klikh nor Karpyuk weren't and couldn't be in Chechnya in 1994-1995.

In the end we post here a letter by Mykola Karpyuk to all Ukrainians:

Dear Ukrainians, my beloved brothers and sisters! I’m deeply touched by all the support and solidarity you’ve shown for my cause. Thank you very much and I bow before you and Ukraine. We haven’t been able to see each other, but don’t worry too much about it. My soul, my heart and my thoughts are with you. We are a great nation! Therefore, victory will be ours! With deep brotherly love. 

- Mykola Karpyuk