The wife of Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesipenko, imprisoned in Crimea, does not believe in the accusations of the Russian secret services
Vladislav Yesipenko is a freelance journalist with Radio Svoboda, who was detained by Russian security forces on March 10 in occupied Simferopol after a rally dedicated to Taras Shevchenko's birthday. He was accused of allegedly gathering information for the benefit of the Ukrainian secret services and having an explosive in his own car. Vladyslav Yesypenko's wife Kateryna and six-year-old daughter Stefania are waiting for him at home in Kryvyi Rih. A court hearing is scheduled for this week, at which lawyers will ask the occupation "court" to change Vladyslav's pre-trial detention.
Suspilne was talked with Vladislav's wife Kateryna Yesypenko.
"Complete absurdity, the usual scenario of catching" spies "in the paws in the Crimea, in Russia, allegedly Ukrainian saboteurs. This is a common scenario, which they do not hesitate to repeat, without even changing the role of some fictitious generals, majors", - Kateryna informed.
Vladislav left for the occupied Crimea on the 23rd of February. He was constantly in touch with his family and could call several times a day. On the 10 of March, I did not call once.
- I suspected something was wrong right away because Vlad always got in touch wherever he was. He spent a lot of time with the child, there were video calls. And then he stopped talking, and I sounded the alarm.
Vladyslav's family learned about Vladyslav's detention on March 11 from an independent lawyer, says Kateryna. The official notification was received two days after the detention.
- On the other hand, Sineglazov's lawyer. That Vlad was detained. For what reason, she did not say. Our lawyers then said that it was absolutely absurd because she could tell her wife why he was detained. She referred to a non-disclosure agreement.
Censor.NET / Detention of Vladislav Yesipenko in the occupied Crimea
The first conversation with Vladislav, says Kateryna, took place six days after the detention. He said that he could only talk about everyday topics, and the conversation turned out to be restrained, Kateryna recalls.
- He was allowed, probably to call. That first call to which the detainee has the right, by the way, wasn't. I was very excited because literally 15 minutes before that I saw the official video of the detention from the other side. I don't know how I felt. And uncertainty, and fear, and pity. From his party, it was such a dry conversation, and I understood that he can't tell everything. I was glad to at least hear his voice that he was alive because the lawyers couldn't find him. I asked if you were beaten or not, and he said he couldn't answer that question. And the connection was broken.
The Yesypenko family left the occupied Crimea in early 2015. Prior to that, journalism was more of a hobby for Vladislav, says Kateryna. After leaving, Vladislav prepared materials for Radio Svoboda as a freelancer. He went to Crimea with editorial assignments.
- Socio-domestic stories, about people's lives, about the same occupancy of reservoirs. That is, it is not necessary to send some "spy" in the paws of Vladislav Yesipenko in order for Ukraine or America to find out how much water there is in the reservoir. This is an absolute delusion, it's all visible from the satellite.
Kateryna Yesipenko says she protects her only daughter Stefania from news about her father. He will be able to explain everything when Vladislav is safe.
- She knows that her father is at work, he is simply not released from Crimea due to some working moments. Somehow. She, of course, is sad, upset. She bursts into phone calls. He spent a lot of time with the child. They generally have such, you know, love without me. Music, training, dancing.
Facebook / Ekaterina Esipenko (2015)
Until May 11, Vladislav will be in the Simferopol detention centre - the precautionary measure in the form of arrest was chosen by the occupation "court". The journalist is charged with part 1 of Article 223-1 of the Criminal Code of Russia - the man allegedly collected information for the Ukrainian secret services, and had a homemade explosive in his own car. The sanction of the article envisages up to six years of imprisonment.
On March 19, the journalist's wife addressed President Zelensky, the Foreign Ministry and human rights activists. In the letter, he asks to facilitate the release of Vladislav Yesipenko - to include him in the exchange list.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denisova, the Commissioner for Human Rights, of course, protested against the illegal detention of Vlad. And no one contacted me personally.
On the 23rd of March, independent lawyers were to appeal against Vladislav's pretrial detention. They wanted to change the detention centre to any other legally permitted measure. But Vladislav was not brought to court, the hearing was postponed.
Kateryna occasionally shares photos online. She says she believes that every response brings the day of her husband's release closer.
- I am grateful to everyone who makes reposts, I ask them to do reposts. I want people to know and talk about Vlad. I don't know how I would have walked this path without support.
