Ukrainian journalist released today after a year in jail
Ukrainian journalist Maria Varfolomeyeva was released today after spending more than a year behind bars.
The journalist was held under arbitrary detention since 9 January 2015 in Luhansk, Eastern Ukraine, by the authorities of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). She had been accused of spying for the Ukrainian nationalist movement (Right Sector).
Varfolomeyeva, working for local news website Svobodny Reporter and as a fixer for various national media, was taking photos of an apartment block in Luhansk on 9 January 2015 when she was detained by representatives of the LPR and later threatened with a 15-year jail sentence.
The IFJ and the EFJ had submitted her case to the Council of Europe’s platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists.
