The crew of the rescue vessel “Sapfir” appealed to the European Court

Crew members of the vessel “Sapfir”, which was seized by the russians near Zmiinyi Island in February, appealed to the European Court of Human Rights.

Three military chaplains, a doctor and another civilian, who were part of the crew of the rescue vessel “Sapfir” and were captured by the russians, appealed to the European Court of Human Rights. Applications have already been sent to Strasbourg, Suspilne reports.

According to the lawyer of the crew members, Yulia Lisova, the statements refer to the violation of the rights to freedom, to contact with the family, i.e. to private life, to freedom from torture and ill-treatment, as well as property rights.

“Currently, the court has to decide whether to consider the complaint. Next, we need to be patient and wait for the case to be considered. Unfortunately, it will not be fast. Maybe a year, two, three or more. But it had to be done: to demonstrate yet another violation on the part of russia,” Yuliya Lisova emphasized.

As reported by USM, on February 25, Ukraine sent the rescue vessel “Sapfir” to Zmiinyi Island to evacuate the bodies of 13 supposedly dead Ukrainian border guards. The next day, information appeared that the  the vessel was taken to custody by russian ships and driven to Sevastopol.

The crew of the rescue ship returned to Ukraine on March 25 as part of the first exchange of prisoners of war.