Ihor Kozlovsky, a 63-year-old retired professor of anthropology and humanities at Donetsk University, was convicted of weapons possession and sentenced by a military tribunal to over two years in prison. Dr. Kozlovsky denies the weapons charge, which was described as two pipes, and indicates that he is being detained for his peaceful political beliefs.
June 1, 2017
Aleksandr Zakharchenko
Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic
Donetsk
Ukraine
Email: op@dnr-sovet.su
Dear Mr. Zakharchenko:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We write to express our concern for Ihor Kozlovsky, a 63-year-old retired professor of anthropology and humanities at Donetsk University. On May 3rd, Dr. Kozlovsky was convicted and sentenced by a military tribunal in the Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine to over 2 years in prison on a weapons possession charge. However, it appears that Dr. Kozlovsky is being held because of his peaceful opinions.
Dr. Kozlovsky has been jailed since his detention in late January 2016. It is alleged that for the first month, he was held incommunicado. He still has not been able to see members of his family.
It appears that Dr. Kozlovsky was subjected to an unfair trial, and we urge you to review this case and see that he is released immediately and unconditionally.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
cc.:
Vladimir Pavlenko
Minister of State Security
Donetsk People’s Republic
Donetsk
Ukraine
Email: mgbdnr@yandex.ru
Daria Morozova
Ombudsperson of the Donetsk People’s Republic
Donetsk
Ukraine
Email: ombudsman_dnr@mail.ru