November 2 — International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists was established by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2013. The date of November 2 was chosen in memory of two French journalists who were killed in Mali in 2013.
This international day is dedicated to critically important issues in protecting press freedom: it draws global attention to crimes against journalists, strengthens the fight against impunity for such violations, emphasizes the need to protect media workers, and honors journalists who have suffered or died for their professional activities.
This date reminds us of the fundamental role of free press in a democratic society and the duty to protect those who risk their lives for the truth.
Every case of a journalist being captured is not only a violation of international humanitarian law but also an attempt to silence the voice of truth about Russia’s war crimes. Today, our colleagues are in captivity solely for honestly doing their job, covering the real events of the war. We must remember each of them:
Please familiarize yourself with the list of media workers currently held in Russian captivity:
1. Iryna Danylovych
Background: Combined her main work in the medical field with activities as an independent journalist, collaborating with three Crimean information resources: “Inzhyr Media,” “Crimean Process,” and “Krym.Realii”
Capture details: Representatives of the occupation law enforcement structures detained her in late April 2022 while waiting for transport in Koktebel
Current status: Received a seven-year prison sentence on fabricated charges and a monetary penalty. Being held in a penitentiary facility in Zelenokumsk. Has several serious health issues, including partial hearing loss, neurological dysfunction, and brain damage, while being denied access to medical care.
2. Vladyslav Yesypenko
Background: Employee of the Ukrainian service of Radio Liberty, performed journalistic assignments for the “Krym.Realii” project
Capture details: FSB officers detained him in Simferopol on March 10, 2021, symbolically choosing the anniversary of Crimean events for the arrest.
Current status: Subjected to torture during investigation. Initially received a six-year term on fabricated weapons manufacturing charges, later reduced to five years. Currently held in the second Kerch colony.
3. Dmytro Khyliuk
Background: Representative of UNIAN news agency, covered events in the Kyiv region
Capture details: Kidnapped by occupation forces on March 3, 2022, in Kozarovychi village during the capture of the Kyiv region
Current status: Being held in penitentiary facility IK-7 in Pakino. While Russian side avoids directly acknowledging him as a prisoner of war.
4. Oleksiy Bessarabov
Background: Before the occupation of Crimea, worked in regional media, particularly as a reviewer for Black Sea Security. Collaborated with the “Nomos” analytical group, prepared materials for “Black Sea Security” publication
Capture details: Became one of the first detained journalists in Crimea – captured in November 2016
Current status: Serving a fourteen-year sentence on fabricated sabotage charges in one of the colonies in Stavropol region.
5. Tymur Ibrahimov
Background: Independent investigative journalist, documented human rights violations in Crimea since the beginning of occupation, collaborated with the “Crimean Solidarity” initiative
Capture details: Captured along with a group of Crimean Tatar activists in autumn 2017
Current status: Sentenced to seventeen years in prison. Being held in Ryazan prison, where his health has significantly deteriorated due to weight loss and vision problems.
6. Osman Arifmemetov
Background: Independent Crimean Tatar media worker, collaborated with the civic initiative “Crimean Solidarity,” covering repressions on the peninsula
Capture details: Became one of those detained during a large-scale raid on Crimean Tatar activists on March 27, 2019
Current status: By decision of the Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, received a fourteen-year term in a strict regime colony. Charges are based on alleged involvement with an organization banned in Russia.
7. Remzi Bekirov
Background: Actively collaborated with two independent platforms – “Crimean Solidarity” and Grani.ru. Specialized in covering political processes and violations of Crimean Tatars’ rights, conducted live broadcasts from courts and searches
Capture details: Detained during a mass operation against Crimean Tatar activists in late March 2019
Current status: Received one of the harshest sentences – 19 years imprisonment. Currently imprisoned in Khakassia.
8. Server Mustafayev
Background: Headed the coordination department of “Crimean Solidarity,” focused on documenting political persecution and court proceedings against activists
Capture details: Taken into custody in 2018 after a search of his home
Current status: Serving a fourteen-year sentence in Tambov colony No. 33, where he was transferred by decision of the Rostov court.
9. Asan Akhtemov
Background: Collaborated with the Crimean Tatar publication Advet, covering community life under occupation
Capture details: Fell into the hands of security forces in September 2021 along with other media representatives
Current status: Being held in the second Simferopol pre-trial detention center. Subjected to torture during detention to obtain false testimony regarding a gas pipeline explosion in Perevalnoye village.
10. Ernes Ametov
Background: Created photo and video content for the “Crimean Solidarity” information platform, documenting events on the peninsula
Capture details: Has a history of double imprisonment – first detained in October 2017, released in 2020, re-captured in March 2022
Current status: Under new sentence serving eleven years in Rostov on charges of involvement with a banned organization.
11. Vilen Temeryanov
Background: Covered events in Crimea for two independent platforms – “Crimean Solidarity” and “Grani.ru”
Capture details: Ended up behind bars in 2022 on charges of cooperation with “Hizb ut-Tahrir” and alleged preparation of sabotage
Current status: Being held in Rostov pre-trial detention center, where his health has significantly deteriorated due to inadequate conditions – has vision problems and chronic stomach pain.
12. Rustem Osmanov
Background: Was part of the “Crimean Solidarity” independent journalists team, covering the situation on the peninsula
Capture details: Became a victim of a new wave of repressions – detained on March 5, 2024, during mass searches in Crimean Tatar homes
Current status: Being held in Simferopol pre-trial detention center, detention period extended until November 2024 on charges of involvement in terrorist activities.
13. Aziz Azizov
Background: Representative of the Crimean Tatar journalists community, employee of “Crimean Solidarity”
Capture details: Recently detained – on March 5, 2024, in Bakhchysarai during another wave of repressions
Current status: Being held in Simferopol pre-trial detention center, where he is to remain at least until November 2024 on charges of terrorist activities.
14. Yevhen Ilchenko
Background: Civic journalist, launched the “Militopol” Telegram channel to inform about the situation in the occupied city
Capture details: Captured by occupation forces in summer 2022
Current status: According to available information, being held in Taganrog under harsh conditions, was forced to perform physical labor on the construction of military fortifications.
15. Anastasia Hlukhovska
Background: Worked as a journalist for the local publication “RIA-Melitopol”
Capture details: Became one of the victims of mass detentions of media workers in Melitopol on August 20, 2023
Current status: Initially held in an improvised prison in Melitopol, later transferred to Rostov. Charged with terrorism, faces 12 to 20 years in prison.
16. Heorhii Levchenko
Background: Managed information work of the “RIA-Melitopol” Telegram channel, covering events in the occupied city
Capture details: Became a victim of the August 2023 raid on local journalists in Melitopol
Current status: According to the FSB version, transmitted data about Russian military to the Ukrainian side. Faces imprisonment for 12 to 20 years.
17. Maksym Rupchov
Background: One of the content creators for pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels in Melitopol, including “RIA-Melitopol” and “Melitopol is Ukraine”
Capture details: Detained along with other media colleagues on August 20, 2023
Current status: Information about detention location and conditions is unavailable.
18. Yana Suvorova
Background: Ran the independent Telegram channel “Melitopol is Ukraine,” informing about the situation under occupation
Capture details: Fell into occupiers’ hands during mass detentions on August 20, 2023
Current status: Security forces charge her with preparing for subversive activities. May receive up to twenty years imprisonment.
19. Mark Kaliush
Background: Administered two key pro-Ukrainian information resources in Melitopol – Telegram channels “RIA-Melitopol” and “Melitopol is Ukraine”
Capture details: Detained during a large-scale operation against local media workers on August 20, 2023
Current status: Under investigation on charges of terrorism and collaboration with Ukrainian special services.
20. Kostiantyn Zynovkin
Background: Joined the team of administrators of pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels in Melitopol, covering events in the occupied city
Capture details: Was captured by occupation authorities in Melitopol in early May 2023
Current status: Faces multiple charges – from calls for terrorist activities to high treason.
21. Dmytro Shtyblykov
Background: Combined journalistic work with civic activities in Crimea
Capture details: One of the first detained journalists on the peninsula – captured in 2016 along with colleagues Bessarabov and Dudka
Current status: Received a fourteen-year prison sentence on fabricated espionage charges.
22. Seiran Saliyev
Background: Conducted live broadcasts and prepared reports for “Crimean Solidarity,” covering human rights violations on the peninsula
Capture details: Detained along with five other Crimean Tatars in Bakhchysarai on October 11, 2017
Current status: Serving a sixteen-year sentence in a Tula region colony on fabricated terrorism charges.
23. Marlen Asanov
Background: Independent journalist and active member of “Crimean Solidarity,” documented repressions against the Crimean Tatar people
Capture details: Captured in Bakhchysarai on October 11, 2017, during mass detentions
Current status: By decision of the Rostov court, received nineteen years imprisonment for alleged organization of terrorist activities.
24. Ruslan Suleimanov
Background: Representative of the Crimean Tatar journalists community, covered events on the occupied peninsula
Capture details: Became a victim of mass searches and detentions on March 27, 2019
Current status: Sentenced to fourteen years imprisonment on charges of terrorism and attempted seizure of power.
25. Rustem Sheikhaliyev
Background: Civic journalist, documented violations of Crimean Tatars’ rights
Capture details: Detained on March 27, 2019, during raids in Simferopol neighborhoods
Current status: Serving a fourteen-year sentence on terrorism charges by verdict of the Rostov court.
26. Amet Suleimanov
Background: Worked with “Crimean Solidarity,” documenting searches and detentions of compatriots after 2014
Capture details: Detained on suspicion of links with “Hizb ut-Tahrir”
Current status: In autumn 2021, received a twelve-year prison sentence.
27. Iryna Levchenko
Background: Local journalist from Melitopol, continued journalistic activities while being retired
Capture details: Kidnapped in early May 2023 along with her husband Oleksandr
Current status: Being held in custody in Melitopol, her husband’s fate remains unknown.
28. Vladyslav Hershon
Background: Created and maintained the information Telegram channel “Melitopol is Ukraine”
Capture details: Captured by occupiers on August 20, 2023
Current status: Accused of preparing sabotage on orders from Ukrainian intelligence.
29. Zhanna Kyselova
Background: Headed the editorial office of “Kakhovska Zoria” until the publication’s closure after the start of the full-scale invasion
Capture details: Kidnapped by occupation forces on June 27, 2024, in the Kakhovka district
Current status: Further fate and detention location unknown.
30. Oleksandr Malyshev
Background: Covered events in occupied Melitopol through local Telegram channels
Capture details: Detained on August 20, 2023, during mass arrests of local media workers
Current status: Under investigation on charges of terrorism and high treason.
2402 Foundation expresses its respect and sympathy to all media professionals who have suffered and/or are being held captive by the enemy. We call on the global community to make every effort to secure their release and ensure their safe return home. Only by uniting our voices can we stand against injustice and protect the fundamental human right – the right to freedom of speech.
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