Foreign Ministry urges international community to condemn torture of Ukrainian detained in Russia

"Ukraine is deeply concerned by the prolonged use of torture against illegally convicted citizen of Ukraine Hennadiy Afanasyev by employees of the Russian penitentiary service; and also by inhumane treatment and constant violation of his rights. The detention on February 3 of Russian defence lawyer Ernest Mezak, who defends the illegally detained Ukrainian in order to restore his rights which were violated in the colony, serves as a proof of the increased pressure of the Russian authorities on Afanasyev," the Ministry's statement said. According to it, Russian authorities deny Ukrainian consuls the right to visit Afanasyev despite Ukraine's numerous appeals in the past two months.