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Russia’s ombudswoman asks US to explain reason for tightening conditions for jailed pilot

The ombudswoman also asked the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office to support her appeal to the US authorities to transfer Konstantin Yaroshenko to Russia to serve his prison term

MOSCOW, April 28. /TASS/. Russia’s human rights ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova has asked the US authorities to explain the reason for tightening the conditions for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko serving his 20-year term in a US prison.

"I have turned to the director of the US Penitentiary System with a request to give explanations why the conditions of his [Yaroshenko’s] custody have been tightened," the ombudswoman told reporters on Saturday.

Also, the Russian human rights ombudswoman said she had asked the Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia to support her appeal to the US authorities to transfer Yaroshenko to Russia to serve his prison term.

"I’m waiting for answers," she said.

Russian pilot Yaroshenko was sentenced to 20 years in jail in the United States on September 7, 2011. He had been brought to the United States from Liberia after being arrested on May 28, 2010. Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration operating in disguise allegedly exposed his criminal intentions to transport a large batch of cocaine.

Yaroshenko underwent a surgery last year, but proper post-operation treatment was denied to him.

Russia has numerously requested the United States to release Yaroshenko.