Yevhen Lavrenchuk – Ukrainian theatre director, a native of Lviv, nominee for the Shevchenko Prize, rector of the First Ukrainian School of Theater and Film, – was detained in Italy at Russia’s request for his extradition to Russia. This is stated in the Facebook group Free Eugene Lavrenchuk.
It is noted that the Russians claim that Lavrenchuk, being in Russia eight years ago, allegedly committed a criminal offence. He was detained in Italy 17 December, but only now, the director’s family and close associates have agreed to inform the public. They understand that the case is fabricated. Lavrenchuk does not yet have access to phone and social networks, hence a friend of the family Marianna Gvidichi-Paliy writes on his behalf.
According to Ukrainian independent media LIGA.net with reference to the comment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Naples provides Lavrenchuk with consular assistance. With the assistance of the Consulate General, he was provided with a lawyer. According to the Foreign Ministry, the court of Naples chose a measure of restraint for the Ukrainian in the form of detention for the period of consideration of the Russian extradition request.
«Currently, the consuls and the lawyer are working with Italian law enforcement to find out all the reasons for the detention of Eugene Lavrenchuk and protect his legitimate interests,» – the Foreign Ministry said in a comment.
The Italian side is currently studying a request from Russia. Details of the case have not yet been disclosed, but it is known that Eugene is accused of financial violations, which he allegedly committed in Russia. It is unknown why he was detained now and why there are no specific documents in this case. In addition, the consul visited the director 31 December.
«The conditions of his detention are acceptable, his health is satisfactory,» – the ministry said, adding that the consuls kept in touch with the penitentiary administration and Lavrenchuk’s relatives, and kept the case under special control.
As Iryna Podoliak, a Lviv resident and ex-deputy minister of culture stated on her Facebook page, the lawyer recommends collecting letters of support from influential people and organizations in Ukraine so that it would be obvious when considering the extradition case that Eugene is needed here in Ukraine, where he has done a lot and plans to do. These letters should be sent to Eugene’s mother Iryna Lavrenchuk, which she will send to a lawyer. Her e-mail: [email protected].
Translated by Vitalii Holich
You can read a Ukrainian language version of this story here.
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Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.
