Kremlin political prisoner Halyna Dovhopola, a 69-year-old native of Bakhchysarai, has been unlawfully imprisoned for more than five years. To mark the New Year, she wrote a new letter from the women’s penal colony in the village of Holovyne, Vladimir region, Russia.
The letter reveals that Halyna’s health remains in a critical condition due to the harsh detention conditions. Despite this, she maintains her optimism, sends greetings to her loved ones, and notes that November 27, 2024, marked five years of her captivity and three years in the Holovyne colony.
Halyna’s letter:
“Good afternoon,
The New Year is approaching, another new date. On November 27, it’s already been five years since I lost my freedom and three years here in Holovyne. I heard that on August 1, there was a prisoner exchange. It seems either 16 or 19 people were exchanged. I’m sincerely happy for everyone—congratulations.
Of course, the harsh climate here is taking a toll on my health. I walk with a stick, hunched over and sideways. But I try not to complain. This is already my fourth winter here. Well…
How’s Vlad? Send him my greetings and my best wishes for the coming year! Tell him Pavlivna is holding on!
Apologies for the inconvenience!
Kind regards, Halyna D.”
To recall, Halyna Dovhopola, originally from Bakhchysarai, was arrested in November 2019 near her home in the village of Kacha, close to Sevastopol. She was accused of “state treason” for allegedly collaborating with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. In 2021, an occupation “court” sentenced her to 12 years in prison. She is one of the oldest political prisoners currently held unlawfully by Russia.
Halyna was an outspoken critic of the occupation, a supporter of Ukraine, and a vocal opponent of the occupation regime.
On the eve of the New Year, we invite everyone to join the “Letters to a Free Crimea” initiative by writing a letter to Halyna and other political prisoners with words of support.
Letters can be sent online or by mail to the following addresses:
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Human Rights Information Center, P.O. Box V-539, Kyiv, 01001
Instructions for writing letters can be found at the provided link: https://zmina.info/en/instructions-en/kremlin-prisoners-how-to-write-a-letter-to-a-political-prisoner/