Donetsk, Feb 9 - DAN. DPR Prosecutor General’s Office opened 34 criminal cases over cruel treatment of DPR supporters who had been held captive by Ukraine, PGO Investigation Department head Roman Belous told a news briefing at Donetsk News Agency on Friday.
“As of today, the Department for Investigating Crimes against Peace and Security of Mankind opened 34 criminal cases over maltreatment of prisoners-of-war and civilians,” Belous said.
Prosecutors said former prisoners had given evidence that agents of the Ukrainian Security Service, Interior Ministry and State Border Service, as well as Ukrainian military were complicit in DPR prisoner abuse. Belous said a number of DPR supporters had been threatened with physical or sexual violence against their relatives.
DPR will continue to investigate prisoner abuse in Ukraine, so the number of such cases might increase, the PGO official said.
On 27 December 2017, DPR, LPR and Ukraine held one of the largest prisoner exchanges during the Donbass conflict. It took place at the crossing point in Gorlovka area; Ukraine handed over 160 people to Donetsk, and DPR passed 57 people to Kiev. DPR prosecutors have already questioned 148 former detainees, according to Belous.*jk