Four years ago Crimean film director Oleg Sentsov and activist Sasha Kolchenko were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on falsified terrorism charges. All because they publicly opposed Russia’s illegal annexation of the Black Sea peninsula.
In that time, the two men have been carted from prison to prison, incarcerated in some of Russia’s most brutal penal colonies located deep in the Siberian tundra. Thousands of miles separate the prisoners from their homes, friends and families, with whom they have little or no contact.
Hromadske recently released a documentary film, which explores the lesser known, but perhaps more shocking, details of their time in prison, and gives voice to some of their most dedicated supporters, who continue to fight for their freedom.
But they are not the only people hoping and campaigning for Sentsov and Kolchenko’s release. The injustice of Sentsov and Kolchenko’s detention has attracted attention and support from people around the world – from media outlets to international human rights organizations, from activists to celebrities.
In a heartwarming gesture of solidarity, famous Ukrainians from various fields have written letters to the prisoners Sentsov and Kolchenko. Some know them personally, others by reputation only, but their message is clear – Ukraine awaits their safe return.
Here’s what they had to say.
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