Should I stay or should I go (back)? – 2. Another 24 stories of Russians who returned to their homeland and ended up behind bars
A year ago, we published the stories of 16 Russians and Ukrainians from the occupied territories who had left the country, only to return to Russia or their homes under occupation and face politically motivated criminal prosecution.
Sadly, such cases are becoming increasingly common.
Our new report examines 24 cases of people who returned for entirely ordinary reasons: to renew a passport, visit a seriously ill relative, collect a pension, or see family. Instead, many were detained, prosecuted, and accused of serious offences.
What has changed over the past year:
→ Returnees are increasingly being charged with treason
→ In many cases, the main source of ‘evidence’ was their mobile phones
→ Those most at risk are people with Ukrainian citizenship or who have lived in Ukraine for a long period
The grounds for the charges vary widely, ranging from transfers of €30 and donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation, to the payment of taxes to the Ukrainian state.
Read the full report here.
Please share this report to help warn those who might be planning a trip.
