Activist Aleksandr Tarasov from Kherson detained in Crimea since March
Human Rights Without Frontiers urges the Russian authorities to immediately release Aleksandr Tarasov
By Willy Fautré
HRWF (31.10.2022) – On 16 August, a fellow prisoner of Aleksandr Tarasov who had been released called his family to tell them that he was in a pre-trial detention center in Simferopol (Crimea).
On 7 March 2022, Aleksandr Viktorovich Tarasov, a 41-year old activist, was abducted in Kherson, on Ushakov near a sporting goods store. His kidnappers were driving in a black Mercedes with a non-local number plate but could not be identified.
That night, a video showing his interrogation was posted on the “News of Khersonshchyna” telegram channel. Judging by the conversation, the interrogation was conducted by a person with a good command of the Ukrainian language, who obviously knew Tarasov and his activism, which was the reason for his abduction.
During the interrogation, Alexandr Tarasov declared that he had been cooperating with the Security Service of Ukraine since 2011. His kidnappers were interested in information about political figures, and movements in the city. Specifically, “which ones were radical and which were not,” and in general, “the socio-political situation in the city and the region”.
Activist Aleksandr Tarasov had actively covered Ukrainian rallies against the occupation in Kherson. He is well-known for his pro-Ukrainian stance. After the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, he was a senior legal advisor and committee member of the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine.
Photo: 24TV.ua