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Russian journalist’s release from Ukrainian custody marks first step to justice — diplomat

A court in Kiev released Vyshinsky on his own recognizance

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Alexander Pogozhev/TASS

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

© Alexander Pogozhev/TASS

MOSCOW, August 28. /TASS/. A court decision to release Chief Editor of the RIA Novosti Ukraine news outlet Kirill Vyshinsky from Ukrainian custody marks the first step to justice, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS.

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Court in Kiev releases Russian journalist Vyshinsky on his own recognizance

"Vyshinsky’s release from custody is the first step to justice for him," she said.

Meanwhile Moscow expects a full acquittal, Zakharova said during a press briefing. "We expect a soon and full acquittal of Kirill Vyshinsky on all fabricated charges pressed against him, and we hope that this example — I mean today’s release — will be a starting point to fix the critical situation regarding the rights of media and reporters in Ukraine," she said.

Zakharova thanked international organizations, especially OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir, as well as non-governmental organizations for their principled position on the release of the reporter. She added that some "did not become involved immediately," thinking at first that Vyshinsky "may have broken the law."

"However, everyone became involved later. This is valuable and important. This serves as an example of being able to find common ground when injustice is blatant, despite our differences and varying approaches to other issues," the spokeswoman noted, stressing that Russia expects to cooperate with international organizations on other similar issues.

A court in Kiev released Vyshinsky on his own recognizance earlier on Wednesday. The court ruled that the journalist is obliged to report to court upon demand, refrain from contacting witnesses in this case and notify the court about any changes concerning his place of residence and work. However, the journalist’s passport will be kept at the prosecutor’s office. Vyshinsky’s defense attorneys plan to request the return of his ID.

Vyshinsky case

On May 15, 2018, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) carried out a large-scale operation against RIA Novosti Ukraine staff members, accusing them of high treason. The news outlet’s Chief Editor Kirill Vyshinsky was arrested. The SBU issued a statement claiming that "a network of media structures, which Moscow used for carrying out a hybrid war" against Kiev had been exposed.

Charges against Vyshinsky are particularly based on a number of the journalist’s articles dedicated to the 2014 events in Crimea. If found guilty, the journalist may face up to 15 years.

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