On the recordSeptember 28, 2018
In 2015, Russian authorities arrested Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian filmmaker and human rights activist, for protesting the occupation of Crimea and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. On May 14 of this year, he began a hunger strike that has lasted over 130 days. Russia has unjustly imprisoned over 150 individuals. They suffer psychiatric confinement, closed trials, and harsh prison conditions. Russia also threatened to strip dissidents and members of religious minorities their parental rights. Oleg is in prison north of the Arctic Circle. He receives IV treatments of saline, amino acids, and vitamins. His sister reported in September that he thinks he will die soon. Mr. Speaker, I call upon Russian authorities to release Oleg Sentsov, and I call upon them to protect political free speech, religious liberty, and the sovereignty of international borders. ____________________
