Crimean citizen journalist and human rights defender Iryna Danylovych, who was illegally imprisoned by Russia, is being subjected to systematic cruel treatment in a penal colony on the territory of the Russian Federation. This was reported by her sister, Olha Novitska.

According to Novitska, the penal colony administration ignores medical recommendations regarding her sister’s health condition and creates conditions that cause her physical suffering. Specifically, this involves the deliberate use of loud noise for prolonged periods, despite documented restrictions due to Danylovych’s hearing problems.

Previously, Iryna Danylovych herself reported the use of so-called traceless torture against prisoners, which includes exposure to bright light and loud noise. However, an alleged “inspection” of the penal colony conducted afterwards found no violations.

It is worth recalling that Iryna Danylovych was abducted by FSB officers in 2022 in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. She was subsequently illegally convicted on fabricated charges of the alleged “possession of a homemade explosive device” and sentenced to 6 years and 11 months of imprisonment.

During her time in the pre-trial detention centre, she was denied proper medical assistance for an extended period, which resulted in the loss of hearing in one ear. To this day, she still does not receive the necessary treatment.

Such actions constitute a gross violation of international humanitarian law and human rights, and require an appropriate international response.