In 2018, Alexander Marchenko was detained in territory captured by terrorists of the so-called “DPR”. In 2020, he was given 10 years in prison for “espionage.” Marchenko does not admit guilt. The international human rights organization “Memorial” recognized him as a political prisoner.
Ukrainian political prisoner Alexander Marchenko
Ukrainian political prisoner Alexander Marchenko, serving a sentence in maximum security penal colony No. 8 in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia), is subjected to constant bullying, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Russian human rights organization First Department, which has the prisoner’s letters at its disposal.
In particular, in the Russian pre-trial detention center he was not given medicine, was not allowed to contact his relatives, and was not given a doctor. In a colony in Buryatia, Marchenko is constantly subjected to punishment, for which the administration specifically provokes reasons. Thus, over the last two years of imprisonment, Marchenko spent 85 days in a punishment cell, nine months in a high-security barracks – a cell-type room (PKT) and six months in a single cell-type room – in the most severe conditions of detention. On January 10, he was again sent to the PCT.
More than 90% of those who returned from Russian captivity were subjected to torture
The abuse of Marchenko intensified after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The security forces forced him to shout “Glory to Russia!” and to call the annexed Crimea Russian in response to the question “Whose Crimea?”
Alexander Marchenko was detained by the “MGB of the DPR” on December 17, 2018. For two months he was in Donetsk “Izolyatsia”, where he was subjected to torture. Subsequently, the man was handed over to FSB representatives. On November 26, 2020, Marchenko, accused in the Russian Federation of “espionage,” was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
On November 16, 2022, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation upheld the sentence of the Ukrainian political prisoner without changes.
In In January 2023, Marchenko was fined for “publicly discrediting the Russian army.”
More than 8 thousand Ukrainians are still in Russian captivity, – Coordination Headquarters
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At one time, Marchenko had his thyroid gland removed, so to maintain his vital functions he needs to regularly take hormonal medications.
Marchenko does not admit guilt. The international human rights organization Memorial recognized him as a political prisoner.
