All news

Technical problems prevent transfer of convicted Ukrainian citizens from Crimea

ЭThe transfer will take place after a new acceptable date is agreed on with the Ukrainian authorities," a source in the Russian Justice Ministry said

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The transfer of 12 Ukrainian citizens from Crimea for serving out their sentences there did not take place on Friday due to technical difficulties, a source in the Russian Justice Ministry informed TASS.

"The transfer of the above-mentioned individuals did not take place on March 3 due to technical problems. The transfer will take place after a new acceptable date is agreed on with the Ukrainian authorities," the source said.

Twelve Ukrainian nationals were convicted by Ukrainian courts prior to March 18, 2014, before Crimea’s incorporation into Russia. They are kept in Crimea’s prisons and expressed a desire to be transferred to Ukraine.

In late February, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Sergey Petukhov said that Ukraine and Russia had reached an agreement on the date for transferring 12 convicted Ukrainian citizens who earlier served their sentences in Crimea and were later transferred to other Russian prisons outside the Black Sea peninsula. He said their transfer to Ukraine was scheduled for March 3.