The Ombudsman proposes that Russia and Ukraine conclude an agreement on special citizens
The Ukrainian “director” Oleg Sentsov, who is serving time in a Russian prison for terrorism, cannot be exchanged for the Russian journalist Kirill Vyshinsky, who is accused of espionage in Ukraine.
Moscow ) - Elena Ostryakova ) -
The Ukrainian “director” Oleg Sentsov, who is serving time in a Russian prison for terrorism, cannot be exchanged for the Russian journalist Kirill Vyshinsky, who is accused of espionage in Ukraine.
Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova stated this today at a press conference in Moscow.
“As for Sentsov, Shtyblikov (Alexey Shtyblikov, convicted of preparing sabotage in Crimea), they have two citizenships. Just like Vyshinsky and Odnovol (Elena Odnovol is a Crimean woman convicted of attempting to destroy the territorial integrity of Ukraine). According to Ukrainian legislation, citizens of Ukraine are not subject to extradition to Russian territory. It’s the same with us: Russian citizens are not subject to extradition to another territory. We need to look for a new legal formula,” Moskalkova said.
The Ombudsman believes that a bilateral agreement on the status of citizens with two citizenships should be concluded between Russia and Ukraine.
“We cannot ignore the fact that today a large number of citizens simultaneously have passports of both Russian and Ukrainian citizens. The agreement must stipulate that people with two citizenships are recognized as citizens of one and the other state. And consuls and human rights ombudsmen should be allowed to see them. It seems to me that these citizens should be given the right to choose their citizenship. But according to our and Ukrainian legislation, a person in custody cannot renounce his citizenship,” Moskalkova said.
The Ombudsman proposes that Russia and Ukraine conclude an agreement on special citizens.