France Arrests Yevhen B., Born 1979, Suspected of Torture in «Izolyatsia» in 2016-2019

A Ukrainian citizen from Donetsk has been arrested in France on suspicion of involvement in torture at a prison operated by the силові структури (power structures) of the self-proclaimed «DPR». This prison was located in the basement of a former factory, which before the occupation housed the art space «Izolyatsia».

This was announced by the French National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT), as reported by AFP and «European Pravda». PNAT stated that the Ukrainian citizen, who has resided in France since 2021, was placed under pre-trial detention. The suspicions relate to his alleged involvement in torture and crimes against humanity committed by representatives of the self-proclaimed «DPR» in the «Izolyatsia» prison in Donetsk between 2016 and 2019.

The arrest took place on April 7, after which a court approved the preventive measure of continued detention. The arrested individual is Yevhen B., born in 1979. According to the investigation, former prisoners of «Izolyatsia» identified him as an accomplice to the guards. He was allegedly tasked with extracting confessions from other prisoners through the use of force and inhumane treatment. He is also accused of sexual crimes against prisoners and facilitating such acts by others.

Communication with witnesses, former prisoners, was made possible through legal cooperation with Ukrainian authorities and human rights organizations. PNAT noted that the investigation reveals the scale of torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners in «Izolyatsia», indicating the systemic nature of these methods.