Ukrainian conscientious objector on trial

en

Ukrainian journalist and CO Ruslan Kotsaba is on trial in Ivano-Frankivsk. Ruslan has been in detention for almost a year, charged with treason and obstructing the military.  In a video addressed to the Ukrainian President, he declared his refusal to be drafted, saying he would rather go to prison for five years than turn a weapon on his "compatriots in the east". He called on his fellow countrymen to refuse to be drafted.  Ukrainian law does allow individuals to refuse military service, but this right is confined to a small group of religious minorities. Ruslan could face 15 years in jail. Observers from DFG-VK were present, and rallied outside the court. The trial is ongoing.

Read more...

 

Programmes & Projects
Countries
Theme

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

We support war resisters all over the world - to keep doing our work, we need your help.

Click here to support WRI today.