On the 16th day of January, 2018 a so-called “Rozdolne District Court”, controlled by the Russia in the occupied Crimea sentenced the Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh to 3 years and 7 months of imprisonment with serving a sentence in a penal colony settlement. Besides, Volodymyr was fined 10 thousand Russian Rubles. The sentenced activist was detained in the “court” room. During the “court session” Volodymyr Balukh expressed his wishes to the Ukrainian People of not to give up and continue their struggle.
The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko stressed that Ukraine will continue its struggle for the liberation of Crimea occupied by Russia and all illegally imprisoned persons on the peninsula. “The invaders will never break the Ukrainian spirit! The trial of Volodymyr Balukh is confirmation of it”, President Poroshenko said. While Crimea remains being occupied, the liberation of Ukrainian citizens depends first of all on diplomacy and international pressure.