Ukrainian OSCE workers suffer in Russian jails for over three years
- Pro-Russian forces detained three Ukrainian OSCE workers from their homes in April 2022.
- Shabanov and Petrov were sentenced to 13 years in a Russian-controlled trial for treason.
- Their imprisonment raises significant concerns for international norms on the treatment of civilian officials.
In 2022, pro-Russian forces seized three Ukrainian workers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Dmytro Shabanov, Valerii Petrov, and a third colleague were detained in the Luhansk region, where they were performing their official duties related to monitoring ceasefires in a conflict that had begun in 2014. In September 2022, a Russian-controlled court sentenced Shabanov and Petrov to 13 years for treason, a judgment that the OSCE condemned, asserting their actions were in alignment with international mandates. Following their sentencing, allegations surfaced about their treatment in detention, including torture and psychological pressure. Shabanov's wife expressed despair over the prolonged separation from her husband and criticized international efforts for not securing his release yet. The situation highlights the precarious status of detained international workers amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia that exacerbates humanitarian concerns and raises international awareness about illegal detentions. Calls for their release continue from Ukraine and international officials who emphasize the need for accountability and intervention regarding their unlawful detainment.