In Russia, imprisoned Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov gets the Sarcharow prize for human rights and freedom of speech in the EU Parliament. A conversation with his cousin Natalia Kaplan about the award winners.
Oleg Sentsov gets the Sakharov prize for human rights and freedom of expression, one of the highest awards given by Europe. The Ukrainian film-maker is fighting for the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 to the truth. In 2014, he was arrested and is since then in a Siberian prison camp. The 41-Year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison. After he went in may on a hunger strike, it deteriorated his health rapidly. The price but also due to the fact that, in addition to staff of the Russian Federation, nearly 70 more Ukrainians are for political reasons in Russian prisons disappeared.
DW: On Sunday, Oleg Senzows lawyer has declared that Oleg suffer from organic changes in the heart, liver and kidneys. Mrs. Kaplan, can you tell us something about the state of health of your Cousins?
Natalia Kaplan: The Problem is that there are no independent Doctors to be left to Oleg. All we know is reported by Oleg. And he knows that, accordingly, only the prison Doctors. You don’t need to say that a 145-day hunger strike, remains without consequences. As you wanted to feed Oleg forced, it was clear that it is to him very badly. He ended the hunger strike with great damage to health. No one knows whether he can recover. He has, among other things, cardiac arrhythmia and those are just the consequences that affect the heart.
When did you last see him?
We only have the lawyer contact. I give him the letters when he visited him. When I go back to Kiev, I will write him a letter and tell him of the award ceremony to tell.
How to describe his condition otherwise?
His physical condition has not changed in the four and a half years in prison, as strange as that sounds. He remained the same Oleg that we know. Nothing can break him. He is working hard. He is not complaining. If Oleg would complain, wouldn’t that mean that he’s bad, but catastrophic. Because Oleg is not the type that whines.
He is now brought from the hospital back to prison. Do you think he is fit enough?
Honestly, I don’t think that there is a great difference whether he is in the hospital or in prison. Both places are equally bad.
What’s he up to now? He wants to lead his hunger strike continue?
I don’t know what his plans are. I don’t know if he will go back into the hunger strike, I hope. It is terrible. I’m Worried about him. Until now, he has known nothing of his intentions.
Would change the award of the Sakharov prize for something?
No doubt. Determined his case and the cases of other Ukrainian political prisoners will receive more attention. I hope, the policy looks at Oleg and then only as one of many political prisoners in Russia, but also as a human being. Hopefully he comes free and not only he, but all of them.
Do you think there is a hope that your Cousin is coming soon?
I’m trying to do what I can. I think, however, that the Putin Era will not last for another 15 years. Enough is enough. At some point there must be an end to it. Sanctions and other international steps would promote a faster finish.
How do you do at the ceremony? Your Cousin receives the Sakharov prize, can’t take him but.
I would be much happier if Oleg would not even nominated for the prize. No price in the world is replacing its freedom. Dear to me would be, he would be free, could be with his family and his movies. At the same time I’m very grateful for it, because it is a step to his release. It is not only to Oleg, it’s all about Ukrainians, who are political prisoners in Russia.
The Interview was conducted by Max Hofmann.