174. Imprisonment of civilian
Mariupol (Donetsk)
LOCATION: Mariupol (Donetsk)
DATE: April 3, 2022 – ongoing
NUMBER OF WITNESSES: 1
SUMMARY: On April 3, 2022, two armed men with “DPR” patches (Donetsk People’s Republic) detained the Witness’ husband at their apartment and took him to an undisclosed location. The Witness discovered months later that he was imprisoned at a penal colony in Horlivka, initially charged with terrorism and later with a lesser offense that still carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence. The Witness and her two daughters found refuge abroad.
WITNESSES
The Witness of the incident was a female civilian and resident of Mariupol in her early 30s who was on maternity leave when the invasion began. The Witness was the wife of the victim.
VICTIMS
The Victim of the incident was a male civilian and resident of Mariupol in his mid-20s who worked for a poultry company. The Victim formerly served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
ALLEGED PERPETRATORS
as described by the Witness(es)
The perpetrators were male members of the Russian military who claimed to be representatives of the internationally unrecognized “Donetsk People’s Republic.” According to the Witness, the perpetrators appeared to be younger than 30.