"Kirill Vyshinsky, a Ukrainian-Russian journalist, has been held captive in Ukraine for over 180 days, on unfounded charges of ‘treason,’ which human rights groups are calling, politically motivated, and faces up to 15 years in prison.
A petition for Vyshinsky's release reads:
On May 15, 2018, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) carried out a massive operation against journalists, having forcefully searched the Ukrainian-based RIA Novosti's central office in Kiev, including its correspondents' homes, and arrest of it's editor-in-chief, Kirill Vyshinsky.
On July 11, the court in Kherson, Ukraine extended Kirill's imprisonment by 60 days without bail, and is currently being held captive, as his health is rapidly deteriorating.
As of November 1, the Kherson city court has extended the arrest of Kirill until December 28, without a legitimate trial and without right to bail."
The journalist, if finally tried, could face up to 15 years in prison, although he was fulfilling his role as a journalist. While in prison, his health has deteriorated to the point that his lawyer had to request urgent medical treatment, Sputnik reported.
Yet, aside from the rather bland entry on the Reporters Without Borders (RWB) website, expressing "worry" for Vyshinsky, only Russian media seem to be reporting on the prolonged and illegal detention of a journalist. Just imagine the selective outrage corporate media would express in chorus were the journalist imprisoned in Russia. The RWB entry did, at least, note:
"The authorities must either precisely explain how the alleged actions constituted high treason or release Kirill Vyshinsky without delay."
Supporters of Vyshinsky are asking for a fair trial and fair media coverage.
To learn more, I spoke with American journalist Vladimir Rodzianko, the author of the petition and co-administrator of a Facebook group in support of Kirill Vyshinsky.
Comment: See: Ukraine prolongs imprisonment of news agency chief without trial, denied help, health deteriorating