Diaspora

        The Ukrainian diaspora is praying for the repose of Vasyl Stus, a martyr for Ukraine who was tortured to death in Lukyaninska prison in 1985. Our prayer services are taking place on September 2, 2018 on the eve of the anniversary of his death, September 4.

        Vasyl Stus is remembered with veneration as a fearless Ukrainian freedom fighter who gave his life in the struggle to secure universal values of humanity - of individual liberty and national freedom - for his countrymen and women. He was an intellectual, writer and poet, and exponent of nonviolence. For his writings alone he paid the ultimate price. Subjected to sadistic physical and psychological torture he died in prison rather than renounce his struggle for freedom and justice for his nation.

        As we remember Valsyl Stus we are constrained to note with profound anger and sadness that one of his principal tormentors Victor Medvedchuk lives freely in Ukraine and continues to wield power and influence in the corridors of government.

Acting on a motion by 59 Members of Parliament, initiated by MP Andriy Levus, the Ukrainian court ordered the Prosecutor General to open a criminal case against Medvedchuk, - No. 42016000000001099. The pre-trial investigation is being carried out under articles of the criminal code including overthrow of the constitutional order, subversion against the sovereignty of Ukraine, and financing terrorism, all of this at a time of a war with Russia. It’s serious nature should make the case a priority. The authorities should inform the public about the status of the investigation and do everything possible to bring indictments and trial.

        Starting from 2016 and to date, activists of the "Free People" civic network and other independent non-governmental organizations within the Stop Revench campaign that includes pressing for a resolution of the Medvedchuk case.

        On the anniversary of Vasyl Stus’ death the Stop Revanch campaign will conduct public events in Kyiv to bring attention to Medvedchuk’s complicity in Vasyl Stus’ death and in Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine.

        According to Free People and other independent sources, Medvedchuk directs and coordinates the pro-Russian and revchist forces in Ukraine. There is a wealth of evidence against him. The only question is in the political will of the top leadership of the country to bring the criminal case to a logical conclusion - a court trial and verdict.

        In accordance with Executive Order 13660 of March 6, 2014, the United States of America imposed personal sanctions against Medvedchuk, for threatening the peace, security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and for undermining democratic institutions and processes in Ukraine. Medvedchuk remains on the sanctions list to this day. Similarly, Australia also imposed personal sanctions against him.  All publicly available evidence points to Medvedchuk, instead of relenting expanding and deepening Russia’s rybrid war against Ukraine in the economic, information and political spheres. Ukraine’s International partners that have imposed sanctions should expand them. Those who have yet to do so should impose sanctions immediately.

        Vasyl Stus deserves justice. The Ukrainian people have the right to live free. Ukrainians has earned the support of America  and the West in their heroic resistance against Russian military aggression and subversive and seditious special operations throughout the country. Just as Vladimir Putin is Godfather to Medvedchuk’s children, Medvedchuk is Putin’s Godfather over Ukraine. We call on both the Ukrainian authorities and the West to bring Victor Medvedchuk to justice.