Ukrainian citizen, artist, and political prisoner Bohdan Ziza has officially been stripped of the Russian passport that was forcibly imposed on him by the occupying authorities following his own request.
During a court hearing in Rostov, Ziza publicly declared that he rejected the citizenship of the occupying state and, through his lawyer, submitted several formal applications to renounce it. According to his sister, Oleksandra Barkova, the process took some time due to multiple appeals, but the occupation authorities ultimately confirmed that he had been deprived of Russian citizenship. Importantly, Ziza’s Ukrainian passport was confiscated during his arrest and search.
This step highlights Bohdan Ziza’s unwavering civic stance and loyalty to Ukraine. His rejection of the occupier’s imposed passport carries significant implications for determining his future legal status, particularly regarding the possibility of being included in prisoner exchange lists.
The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea emphasizes that Russia has introduced a new policy regarding Crimean political prisoners: they are being stripped of the forcibly imposed Russian passports while serving their sentences, with the intention of deporting them from Russian territory after their release and restricting their right to return. This practice is systematic and is aimed at exerting pressure, discriminating against, and removing citizens who refuse to cooperate with the occupying authorities.
The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea calls on international partners to pay special attention to the case of Bohdan Ziza and other Ukrainian political prisoners unlawfully held by the occupying power. It is essential to ensure that they are provided with proper conditions of detention, access to medical care, and respect for fundamental human rights.
Ukraine continues to take all possible measures to secure the release of its citizens persecuted by the Russian Federation for their pro-Ukrainian position.