Skip to Content

Connolly Urges Russian Authorities To Drop Charges Against Ukrainian Journalist Mykola Semena

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) released the following statement today urging Russian authorities to drop all charges against Ukrainian journalist, Mykola Semena, and allow him to seek immediate medical attention.

“Ukrainian journalist Mykola Semena was formally charged on December 7 under the Russian criminal code for allegedly violating Russia’s territorial integrity by expressing the view that Crimea is Ukrainian territory. Semena’s wrongful arrest follows Russia’s forcible and illegal annexation of Crimea and willful violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity in 2014. Semena is currently under house arrest in Simferopol and needs urgent medical attention in Kyiv. Russian authorities should drop the charges against him and permit him to leave the peninsula in order to seek immediate medical treatment in Ukraine.”

Congressman Connolly is the sponsor of the Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act. The legislation prohibits federal agencies from taking action that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea. In July, Connolly successfully offered an amendment to the STAND for Ukraine Act, which would create only one condition under which the President can relax Crimea-related sanctions - the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty over Crimea. He also successfully amended the National Defense Authorization Act to prohibit the use of funds on any activity that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea.
Back to top