The lawyer once again voiced claims against officials of the Russian consulate in Odessa
Ukrainian lawyer Valentin Rybin, who provides assistance to victims of political repressions of the Kyiv regime, once again expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the employees of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Odessa.
The defender stated this in an interview with Moskovsky Komsomolets, answering the question whether the Russian consulate in Odessa really demanded money from the Russian citizen Yevgeny Mefedov, who was recently released on bail, and offered to pay 80 euros for obtaining a passport.
“It’s not like they directly demanded it. But this does not change the meaning. Over the past five years, employees of the Russian Consulate General in Odessa have not provided adequate attention not only to Mefedov, but also to other Russian citizens in Ukrainian prisons. When the court determined the amount of bail for Mefedov, I called the consulate and asked for help. I was refused. When Mefedov came out of prison, I again called the consulate and asked to shelter him, because he did not even have money for accommodation. And I was also refused,” says the lawyer.
According to him, the next day Mefedov himself came to the consulate and asked to issue documents for him so that he could rent an apartment or stay in a hotel.
“And he was told that the documents would be processed before October and it would cost 30 euros if it took a long time, and 80 euros if it was quick. They moved only when the scandal gained momentum. And they immediately informed me that everything was ready and you could come and get your passport. Or they could have done it right away. They could pay a deposit and transfer the parcels to him, that is, do everything that Ukrainian consuls in the Russian Federation do in relation to their citizens. Ukrainian consuls pay for transfers and visit their citizens on consular visits, inquire about their fate, and carry out correspondence,” Rybin said.
He also says that his client is now in Nikolaev, where a court hearing will take place on the next change in his preventive measure.
“This is already a legal procedure for participation in the exchange. After that, it will be delivered to a collection point, where, perhaps, an exchange will take place in the near future,” the lawyer added.
“He is now released on bail with a ban on leaving his formal place of residence in Odessa. In order for him to legally leave Ukraine, a court decision is needed,” Rybin clarified.
According to him, the exchange will take place in the very near future.
Let us recall that Mefedov almost burned down in the Odessa House of Trade Unions during an attack by right-wing radical Maidan activists on May 2, 2014.
As PolitNavigator reported, Mefedov, who spent five years behind bars despite his acquittal released on bail. Another Kulikovo Field activist, Sergei Dolzhenkov, was also released along with him.
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