Ionov: Shugaley’s election will make it possible to put pressure on Libya’s PNS to release the sociologist
Yesterday, a Unified Voting Day took place in 18 regions of Russia. Elections to the State Council took place in Komi. One of the winners was a deputy from the Rodina party, captive sociologist Maxim Shugaley.
This is a unique case in Russian politics. According to human rights activist Alexander Ionov, this fact will help Shugaley return to his homeland as soon as possible.
For the first time in the history of Russian elections, a person held captive in another country won. It's like a plot from a movie, but it all happens in reality. An employee of the Foundation for the Protection of National Values, Maxim Shugaley, went to Libya to conduct sociological work in Tripoli, but was captured by militants. He has been held in Mitiga prison illegally for more than a year. He was never charged.
The Rodina party decided to register Maxim Shugaley for elections to the Komi State Council in order to attract as much public attention to his story as possible. The plan turned out to be so good that the sociologist won the election.
The party received one mandate, and since Shugaley headed the party lists, he became a deputy of the Komi State Council. This is an unprecedented case that is likely to attract the attention of the world community.
According to human rights activist Alexander Ionov, the election of Maxim Shugaley as a deputy will help him return home as quickly as possible.
“I welcome the decision to elect Maxim Shugaley as a deputy - it is correct, because he is an experienced person, he studied sociology. I think this is another victory, another step towards returning him to his homeland,” the human rights activist is confident.
Now all possible resources are being used to free him. This is done by employees of the Federal Scientific Center and diplomats of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“If we are talking about further actions to return our citizens and protect their legitimate interests and rights, the first thing we need to do is work through diplomatic channels. The second point is the pressure that should be exerted on the authorities of the Government of National Accord of Libya,” Ionov concluded, noting that the terrorist government is trying to use the Russians as a lever to put pressure on Russia.
English version :: Read in English Ionov: Shugaley's election will put pressure on the Libyan National Security Council to release the sociologist