POLITICAL PRISONER IN CRIMEA

A young Crimean went on a hunger strike to protest his politically motivated arrest and detention. The 20-year old Victor Sazhin had been arrested in the Crimean city of Armiansk on September, 21 by a court order on accusation of having blocked a group of Victor Yushchenko supporters at the approaches to the Crimean peninsula. The incident goes back to December 17, 2004 when the pro-Yushchenko propaganda motorcade was stopped for a short period of time on its way to the Crimea. The orange militants were then let go without any violence and could continue there journey. They hoped to win over supporters in the Crimea where Mr. Yushchenko had and still has a very low rating. After Yushchenko took-over his presidential position he immediately initiated a campaign of repressions against his political opponents and those who had supported them. More then 18 000 low level bureaucrats were arrested on charges of corruption. Thousands fled to Russia. The new regime is especially ruthless towards Russian speaking regions in the Ukraine and the Crimea. The parents of Victor Sazhin say that their son is in depression. They fear he may commit a suicide. Political forces fighting for the self-determination of the Crimea are preparing a series of protests against orange persecutions. They insist on release of Victor Sazhin and demand they all charges against him be dropped.