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"REHABILITATION OF KREMLIN POLITICAL PRISONERS AND THEIR RELATIVES IN LATVIA"

Political prisoners of the Kremlin released as part of a significant exchange underwent rehabilitation in the "Vaivari" sanatorium in the period from December 10 to 22, 2019

A group of former Kremlin prisoners spent 12 days in Latvia. The trip of the Ukrainians took place within the framework of the rehabilitation program developed by the Latvian government. At the airport, they were met by diaspora representatives and diplomats.

Ten Kremlin prisoners released as a result of the exchange on September 7, 2019, arrived in Latvia: Volodymyr Balukh, Oleg Sentsov, Edem Bekirov, Pavlo Hryb, Mykola Karpiuk, Svyatoslav Klykh, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Artur Panov, Yevhen Panov, Oleksiy Syzonovych, Roman Sushchenko. Some flew in with their loved ones. Diplomatic employees of the Ukrainian embassy and activists of the Ukrainian community in Latvia gathered for the Ukrainian delegation meeting at the Riga International Airport terminal. The national Latvian TV channel filmed the meeting.

During the visit, the prisoners met with the speaker of the Latvian Diet, Inara Murniece, and the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Edgar Rinkevičs. On December 19, they became guests at a joint big meeting with the Ukrainian community of Latvia. At the invitation of the local Latvian self-government, they also visited the city of Ogre.
“We thank the Latvian government for this invitation. Thanks also to our border guards, who helped and ensured the delivery of the group and their relatives to Boryspil and helped pass passport control quickly” – said Ihor Hryb, the father of former prisoner Pavlo Hryb.

"We understand you and your struggle very well and are willing to support you. The program of your stay in Latvia includes rehabilitation, meetings, and communication with our officials and schoolchildren. I am convinced that you will be able to tell them about the events in Ukraine, about the struggle of your people" - said Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia Juris Poikans.