Geopolitics and politics

Vyshinsky’s Arrest is ‘Gross Abuse of All Democratic Norms’ – German Politician

By Sputnik

 

Addressing a recent detention of RIA Novosti Ukraine bureau chief Kirill Vyshinsky by the country’s security services on „treason“ charges, Andreas Maurer, representative of the German party Die Linke , told Sputnik that Vyshinsky’s arrest indicates Kiev’s political impotence.

Kirill Vyshinsky, head of RIA Novosti Ukraine news website, who on Monday was detained in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on charges of „treason“, is accused of supporting the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic in Ukraine’s southeast.

Speaking to Sputnik, Andreas Maurer, representative of Germany’s Left Party (Die Linke), described Vyshinsky’s arrest as „a gross violation of all democratic norms.“

Journalist Kirill Vyshinsky, the director of Russian state news agency RIA Novosti Ukraine, attends a preliminary court hearing in Kherson, Ukraine May 17, 2018

Photo: Sputnik

READ MORE: Custody for RIA Novosti’s Vyshinsky to Be Determined on Thursday — Ukraine

„Ukraine shows that it stands far aside from all those democratic principles that are used in Western countries. […]. It doesn’t surprise me that this step was taken now when there is such a difficult and tense situation in Kiev,“ Maurer said.

He pointed out that during a pre-election race, „Kiev is doing its best to stifle the information flow.“

„So these actions can be seen as an indicator of Kiev’s [political] impotence. They try to take control of the situation by notably intimidating other journalists in the country,“ Maurer noted, also referencing Nazi Germany where he said journalists were arrested and then put behind bars as well.

READ MORE: Kiev Should Clarify Evidence Behind Accusations Against Vyshinsky – HRW

He was echoed by Frank Creyelman, honorary Belgian MP and former chairman to the Committee on Foreign Policy, European Affairs and International Cooperation, who branded Vyshinsky’s detention as „a move against freedom of speech“, which he said aims to either sabotage the implementation of the Minsk peace accords on Ukraine or tarnish the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Ulrich Heyden, Russia-Ukraine correspondent for German Media „Der Freitag“ and „Telepolis,“ for his part, called Vyshinsky’s arrest a „symbolic action against Russia.“

READ MORE: Journalists Worldwide Mark Solidarity With RIA Novosti Journo Detained in Kiev

„The accusation of treason shows that the Ukrainian government wants to make it more and more impossible for Russian journalists to work in Ukraine,“ Heyden said.

He also suggested that the reason for this „political pressure“ and „anti-Russian hysteria“ is the 2018 FIFA World Cup which opens in Russia in June and remains one of Kiev’s main headaches.

On the other hand, Kiev is planning a massive attack against Donetsk and Luhansk and they don’t need any Russian or foreign journalists covering the events, according to Heyden.

READ MORE: RIA Novosti Ukraine Head Vyshinsky Cannot Manage Without Medication – Wife

Dragana Trifkovic, head of the Belgrade-based Center for Geostrategic Studies, in turn, underlined that when it comes to Vyshinsky’s detention, „it is difficult to evaluate the steps taken by the Ukrainian government, because there is no rationality in them at all.“

„I think that their motive is some kind of frustration and anger, and they wrongly blame others. The Ukrainian reality has changed a lot and I’m afraid that they cannot achieve any success until they return to the real world. It seems to me that Ukraine, in their inability to get out of the vicious circle of auto-destruction and corruption, sees the exit in further confrontation,“ Trifkovic added.

Earlier this week, Vyshinsky’s lawyer said that the authorities began the prison transfer of the journalist from Kiev to Kherson, where they will determine a measure of restraint for him.

 

Rossiya Segodnya news agency Director General Dmitry Kiselev, for his part, has demanded an immediate release of Vyshinsky, urging Ukrainian authorities to end their persecution of the media outlet.

 

Editor-in-chief of Rossiya Segodnya and RT broadcaster Margarita Simonyan, in turn, has called the latest developments in Ukraine Kiev’s „revenge“ for the recently opened Crimea Bridge in Russia. She added that RIA Novosti Ukraine was not legally linked to Rossiya Segodnya, but was its media partner.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.

 
 
17. May 2018. 

author-avatar

About Центар за геостратешке студије

Center for geostrategic studies is a non-governmental and non-profit association, founded in Belgrade at the founding assembly held on 28.02.2014. in accordance with the provisions of art.11. and 12. Law on associations ("Official Gazette of Rs", no.51/09). for an indefinite period of time, in order to achieve the goals in the field of scientific research of geostrategic relations and preparation of strategic documents, analysis and research. The association develops and supports projects and activities aimed at the state and national interests of Serbia, has the status of a legal entity and is registered in the register in accordance with the law. The mission of the Center for geostrategic studies is: "we are building the future, because Serbia deserves it: the values we represent are established through our history, culture and tradition. We believe that without the past there is no future. For this reason, in order to build the future, we must know our past and cherish our traditions. True values are always grounded, and the future cannot be built in a good direction without that foundation. In a time of disruptive geopolitical change, it is crucial to make wise choices and make the right decisions. Let go of all imposed and distorted ideas and artificial urges. We firmly believe that Serbia has enough quality and potential to determine its own future, regardless of threats and limitations. We are committed to the Serbian position and the right to decide our own future, bearing in mind the fact that historically there have been many challenges, threats and dangers that we have overcome. “ Vision: the Center for geostrategic studies aspires to become one of the world's leading organizations in the field of geopolitics. He also wants to become a local brand. We will try to interest the public in Serbia in international topics and gather all those interested in protecting state and national interests, strengthening sovereignty, preserving territorial integrity, preserving traditional values, strengthening institutions and the rule of law. We will act in the direction of finding like-minded people, both in the domestic and in the world public. We will focus on regional cooperation and networking of related NGOs, both at the regional and international level. We will launch projects at the international level to support the repositioning of Serbia and the preservation of territorial integrity. In cooperation with media houses, we will implement projects that are focused on these goals. We will organize education of interested public through conferences, round tables and seminars. We will try to find a model for the development of the organization that would enable the financing of the activities of the Center. Build a future together: If you are interested in cooperating with us, or to help the work of the Center for geostrategic studies, please contact us by e-mail: center@geostrategy.rs

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *