“Radio Svoboda – Crimea reported journalist.”, – WRITE: www.radiosvoboda.org
According to Esipenko, after detention, he was put on a bus, put on headphones and dark glasses so that he did not hear conversations and saw nothing. Then he was brought to the basement, undressed and put on the floor.
“Then I am put on some wire on my ears and current. There was a wild pain, it lasted 3 minutes, maybe 5 minutes. That is, just a current was allowed through me, ”he said.
After electricity tortured it began to be beaten.
“I am starting to beat my feet, they were smaller on my head, mostly on the body, on the legs. It’s 15 minutes. And then I am raised, put on a chair and start asking questions. «Ukrainian agent? Names, turnouts, passwords, ”Esipenko said.
He stressed that the Russian security forces did not first make any requirements, and the purpose of torture was to break his will and intimidate.
For a complete interview with Vladislav Esipenko, see August 16 on Radio Liberty YouTube channel.
Vladislav Esipenko is a freelancer of Crimea. Reality (Radio Liberty). He covered social and environmental problems in the Crimea, filmed street surveys and reports on life on the annexed peninsula. On March 10, 2021, Esipenko was detained by FSB staff of Russia on charges of collecting information “in favor of Ukrainian special services” and storage of a “homemade explosive device” in the car.
In 2022, the Russian -controlled court in Crimea sentenced Esipenko to five years in prison and a fine of 110 thousand rubles. The Russian prosecutor’s office demanded for him 11 years. Esipenko himself stated in court that Russian security forces were tortured, in particular electricity, seeking testimony.
The journalist after more than four years of Russian imprisonment was released on June 20 and left the occupied Crimea. On June 22, he arrived in Prague, where he later underwent medical examinations and rehabilitation.
During the imprisonment, Esipenko became a laureate of several prestigious awards: Free Media Award (2022), Freedom to Write Award from Pen America (2022), Igor Lubchenko National Prize, and received a Ukrainian Lukyanen State Power.