Political Prisoner Oleg Sentsov Responds to Hromadske’s Letter

Crimean political prisoner Oleg Sentsov, who is serving a 20-year sentence in a Russian prison for falsified terrorism charges, has responded to a letter from Hromadske’s Chief Director Anna Tsygyma.

Tsygyma produced a photo report from Labytnangi, the Siberian town where the prison is located, as well as a film about political prisoners.

Sentsov announced a hunger strike on May 14, 2018. He then started supportive treatment on May 28. He says his hunger strike will continue until the Kremlin releases all of its Ukrainian political prisoners.

READ MORE: Inside the Arctic Russian Town Where Sentsov is Detained (PHOTOS)

Sentsov’s response to Tsygyma reads as follows:

“Anya, hello! Thank you so much for your letter, warm words and congratulations (Sentsov turned 42 on July 13 – ed.). Pass on my greetings and gratitude to the guys at Hromadske as well for your work, and not just the work in support of political prisoners. I am glad that your project is growing and developing. And that Natasha (Sentsov’s cousin Natalya Kaplan – ed.) now works for you… They often write to me, saying that I have motivated so many from afar… As with so many other things, it’s hard for me to believe what is going on there on the outside in my name. My life today is somehow so far removed from all that noise. Thank you for the Labytnangi photos, I have received them. It’s true that there’s beauty behind these walls, but I don’t get to see any of this, only iron and concrete. There isn’t even any wood here. I hope that you also enjoyed coming here! :) Thank you again for your letter and your work. Although, I understand that this is probably more than just work. Sincerely, Oleg 17.07.2018.”

READ MORE: From Crimea to Siberia: How Russia is Tormenting Political Prisoners Sentsov and Kolchenko

You can email Sentsov directly via the Russian State Penitentiary Service’s website. You will need to input the following information:

• Region – Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
• Institution – IK-8, Labytnangi
• Recipient’s full name  – Sentsov Oleg Gennadyevych
• Recipient’s year of birth – 1976

It may take a while for the website to load. You will also have to pay to send the letter. A short text will cost around $0.90 and this money will go to the Russian Federation’s State Penitentiary Service.