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{{Short description|Ukrainian journalist, activist and prisoner of conscience}}
{{Short description|Ukrainian journalist, activist and prisoner of conscience}}
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'''Ruslan Petrovych Kotsaba''' ({{lang-uk|Руслан Петрович Коцаба}}) is a Ukrainian freelance journalist and blogger.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=26 July 2016 |title=Коцаба озвучив таємні бажання багатьох українців – письменник |trans-title=Kotsaba voiced the secret desires of many Ukrainians - a writer |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/27883012.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|Радіо Свобода]] |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Daza Sierra |first=Felip |url=https://novact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ENG_VF.pdf |title=Ukrainian Nonviolent Civil Resistance in the face of war: Analysis of trends, impacts and challenges of nonviolent action in Ukraine between February and June 2022 |publisher=[[International Catalan Institute for Peace|ICIP]] & Novact |year=2022}}</ref>
'''Ruslan Petrovych Kotsaba''' ({{lang-uk|Руслан Петрович Коцаба}}) is a Ukrainian freelance journalist, blogger, civil society activist and [[prisoner of conscience]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=26 July 2016 |title=Коцаба озвучив таємні бажання багатьох українців – письменник |trans-title=Kotsaba voiced the secret desires of many Ukrainians - a writer |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/27883012.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|Радіо Свобода]] |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Daza Sierra |first=Felip |url=https://novact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ENG_VF.pdf |title=Ukrainian Nonviolent Civil Resistance in the face of war: Analysis of trends, impacts and challenges of nonviolent action in Ukraine between February and June 2022 |publisher=[[International Catalan Institute for Peace|ICIP]] & Novact |year=2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2015 |title=Відомого закликами проти мобілізації Руслана Коцабу не пустили на захід - ЗМІ від нього відхрещуються |trans-title=Ruslan Kotsaba, known for calls against mobilization, was not allowed to the event - the media deny it |url=http://www.telekritika.ua/profesija/2015-02-04/103300 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204151648/http://www.telekritika.ua/profesija/2015-02-04/103300 |archive-date=4 February 2015 |website=Телекритика}}</ref>


He became well known for his call in January 2015 to boycott the [[Mobilization in Ukraine#2015|fourth wave of mobilization in Ukraine]] during the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]]. In May 2016 the court found Kotsaba guilty of obstructing the activities of the armed forces and he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment. He was acquitted by the Court of Appeals and released in July 2016 after having spent 524 days in prison.
He became well known for his call in January 2015 to boycott the [[Mobilization in Ukraine#2015|fourth wave of mobilization in Ukraine]] during the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]]. In May 2016 the court found Kotsaba guilty of obstructing the activities of the armed forces and he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment. He was acquitted by the Court of Appeals and released in July 2016 after having spent 524 days in prison.

As of December 2022, Kotsaba is included in the [[Myrotvorets]] database of "enemies of Ukraine".<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Коцаба Руслан Петрович / Коцаба Руслан Петрович / Kotsaba Ruslan Petrovich |url=https://myrotvorets.center/criminal/kocaba-ruslan-petrovich/ |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Myrotvorets]] |language=ru-RU}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Ecologist by education, Kotsaba graduated from the [[Ukrainian National Forestry University]] and the [[National Academy for Public Administration]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last= |date=2010-12-06 |title=Руслан Коцаба не хоче віддавати борг |trans-title=Руслан Коцаба не хоче віддавати борг |url=https://gazeta.ua/articles/ukraine-newspaper/_ruslan-kocaba-ne-hoche-viddavati-borg/364100 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220164151/http://gazeta.ua/articles/ukraine-newspaper/_ruslan-kocaba-ne-hoche-viddavati-borg/364100 |archive-date=20 February 2015 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Gazeta.ua |language=uk}}</ref> In the 1990s he participated in the [[Revolution on Granite]], and during the [[Orange Revolution]] he led the regional organization of the [[National liberalism|national-liberal]] [[PORA#The political party|Pora party]].<ref name=":9" /> At the beginning of 2005 he joined the civic movement associated with [[Vladyslav Kaskiv]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2008 |title=Новини України: ГП «Пора» стала більш закритою |trans-title=SE "Pora" has become more closed |url=https://galinfo.com.ua/news/gp_pora_stala_bilsh_zakrytoyu_36322.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Гал-інфо}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stavska |first=Yana |date=25 June 2021 |title=Ведучого "каналу Медведчука" облили зеленкою в Івано-Франківську (відео) |trans-title=The host of the "Medvedchuk channel" was doused with green tea in Ivano-Frankivsk (video) |url=https://www.unian.ua/society/veduchiy-kanalu-medvedchuka-ruslan-kocaba-zayaviv-shcho-yogo-pobili-v-ivano-frankivsku-video-novini-ukrajini-11463826.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] |language=uk}}</ref> who was elected as a [[People's Deputy of Ukraine|member of parliament]] for [[Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc]] in 2007. From 2007 to 2012 Kotsaba was his paid parliamentary assistant.{{Cn|date=December 2022}}
Ecologist by education, Kotsaba graduated from the [[Ukrainian National Forestry University]] and the [[National Academy for Public Administration]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=KRAINIY |first=Ivan |title=«Влада рахується лише з сильними. Так будьмо ними» |trans-title="Government reckons only with the strong. So let's be them" |url=https://umoloda.kyiv.ua/regions/0/180/0/64458/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072956/http://umoloda.kiev.ua/regions/0/180/0/64458/ |archive-date=5 March 2015 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=[[Ukrayina Moloda]]}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last= |date=2010-12-06 |title=Руслан Коцаба не хоче віддавати борг |trans-title=Руслан Коцаба не хоче віддавати борг |url=https://gazeta.ua/articles/ukraine-newspaper/_ruslan-kocaba-ne-hoche-viddavati-borg/364100 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220164151/http://gazeta.ua/articles/ukraine-newspaper/_ruslan-kocaba-ne-hoche-viddavati-borg/364100 |archive-date=20 February 2015 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Gazeta.ua |language=uk}}</ref> In the 1990s he participated in the [[Revolution on Granite]], and during the [[Orange Revolution]] he led the regional organization of the [[National liberalism|national-liberal]] [[PORA#The political party|Pora party]].<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Manchuk |first=Andriy |date=7 April 2016 |title=Ukraine’s political trials |url=https://liva.com.ua/ukraines-political-trials.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=liva.com.ua}}</ref> At the beginning of 2005 he joined the civic movement associated with [[Vladyslav Kaskiv]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2008 |title=Новини України: ГП «Пора» стала більш закритою |trans-title=SE "Pora" has become more closed |url=https://galinfo.com.ua/news/gp_pora_stala_bilsh_zakrytoyu_36322.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Гал-інфо}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stavska |first=Yana |date=25 June 2021 |title=Ведучого "каналу Медведчука" облили зеленкою в Івано-Франківську (відео) |trans-title=The host of the "Medvedchuk channel" was doused with green tea in Ivano-Frankivsk (video) |url=https://www.unian.ua/society/veduchiy-kanalu-medvedchuka-ruslan-kocaba-zayaviv-shcho-yogo-pobili-v-ivano-frankivsku-video-novini-ukrajini-11463826.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] |language=uk}}</ref> who was elected as a [[People's Deputy of Ukraine|member of parliament]] for [[Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc]] in 2007. From 2007 to 2012 Kotsaba was his paid parliamentary assistant.{{Cn|date=December 2022}}


Kotsaba supported [[Euromaidan]] and in the summer of 2014, as a freelance correspondent of the TV channel [[112 Ukraine]], he covered the course of [[War in Donbas|hostilities in Donbas]], visiting both sides of the conflict. He drove through the [[Anti-terrorist Operation Zone|Anti-Terrorist Operation zone]] posting materials on his blog about Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers. In the camp of the [[Aidar Battalion|Aidar battalion]], he interviewed [[Nadiya Savchenko]].{{cn|date=December 2022}} In his reports, he was critical of the Ukrainian armed forces, and claimed that there were "almost" no regular Russian troops in the [[Luhansk People's Republic]]. These statements were criticisized even by journalists sympathetic to Ktosaba, who referred to him as a "liar" who often made "false arguments".<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2015 |title=«Он системно гадил украинской обороне» Кто такой журналист Руслан Коцаба, которого судят на Украине за госизмену |trans-title=“He systematically spoiled the Ukrainian defense” Who is the journalist Ruslan Kotsaba, who is on trial in Ukraine for treason |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2015/02/10/on-sistemno-gadil-ukrainskoy-oborone |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126082725/https://meduza.io/feature/2015/02/10/on-sistemno-gadil-ukrainskoy-oborone |archive-date=26 January 2016 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Meduza]] |language=ru}}</ref> Kotsaba described himself as a Ukrainian patriot, but he did not oppose the secession of the country's eastern provinces.<ref name=":11" />
Kotsaba supported [[Euromaidan]] and in the summer of 2014, as a freelance correspondent of the TV channel [[112 Ukraine]], he covered the course of [[War in Donbas|hostilities in Donbas]], visiting both sides of the conflict. He drove through the [[Anti-terrorist Operation Zone|Anti-Terrorist Operation zone]] posting materials on his blog about Ukrainian soldiers and volunteers. In the camp of the [[Aidar Battalion|Aidar battalion]], he interviewed [[Nadiya Savchenko]].<ref name=":10" /> In his reports, he critically assessed the actions of the Ukrainian armed forces, and stated that there were "almost" no regular Russian troops in the [[Luhansk People's Republic]] and that the local population largely supported the [[Russian people's militias in Ukraine|pro-Russian militias]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2015 |title=«Он системно гадил украинской обороне» Кто такой журналист Руслан Коцаба, которого судят на Украине за госизмену |trans-title=“He systematically spoiled the Ukrainian defense” Who is the journalist Ruslan Kotsaba, who is on trial in Ukraine for treason |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2015/02/10/on-sistemno-gadil-ukrainskoy-oborone |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126082725/https://meduza.io/feature/2015/02/10/on-sistemno-gadil-ukrainskoy-oborone |archive-date=26 January 2016 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Meduza]] |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Сидорчик |first=Андрей |date=2015-02-09 |title=Враг народа. Украинский журналист Руслан Коцаба арестован за «шпионаж» |trans-title=Enemy of the people. Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Kotsaba arrested for 'espionage' |url=https://aif.ru/euromaidan/prediction/1442538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212030301/http://www.aif.ru/euromaidan/prediction/1442538 |archive-date=12 February 2015 |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Argumenty i Fakty|Аргументы и Факты]] |language=ru}}</ref> Kotsaba described himself as a Ukrainian patriot, but he did not oppose the secession of the country's eastern provinces.<ref name=":11" />


== The case of high treason ==
== The case of high treason ==
In mid-January 2015, on the eve of the first stage of the [[Mobilization in Ukraine#2015|Fourth wave of mobilization]], Kotsaba published on YouTube a video message "I refuse to be mobilized,"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kotsaba |first1=Ruslan |date=January 17, 2015 |title=Інтернет-акція "Я відмовляюся від мобілізації" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve_AJRn-HJA |website=youtube.com |publisher=Ruslan Kotsaba |language=uk |format=video}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20-26 February 2015 |title=Руслан Коцаба. Исповедь арестанта Тюремные записки журналиста, обвиняемого в измене Родине, — эксклюзивно в «Репортере» |trans-title=RUSLAN KOTSABA. CONFESSION OF A PRISONER. Prison notes of a journalist accused of treason - exclusively in Reporter |url=http://reporter.vesti-ukr.com/art/y2015/n6/13145-ruslan-kotsaba-ispoved-arestanta.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221020345/http://reporter.vesti-ukr.com/art/y2015/n6/13145-ruslan-kotsaba-ispoved-arestanta.html#.VOs5nXysUYz |archive-date=21 February 2015 |website=reporter.vesti-ukr.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2016 |title=Чьей совести узник Руслан Коцаба? |trans-title=Whose conscience is prisoner Ruslan Kotsaba? |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/articles/2016/01/19/7095874/ |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Украинская правда |language=ru}}</ref> in which he declared that he was ready to serve as long as required by law, but was not going to join the army.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2015 |title=Журналист Руслан Коцаба призвал бойкотировать мобилизацию (ВИДЕО) |trans-title=JOURNALIST RUSLAN KOTSABA URGED TO BOYCOTT THE MOBILIZATION (VIDEO) |url=http://dusia.telekritika.ua/novosti/27379/zhurnalist_ruslan_kotsaba_prizval_boijkotirovat_mobilizatsiju__video_ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220170514/http://dusia.telekritika.ua/novosti/27379/zhurnalist_ruslan_kotsaba_prizval_boijkotirovat_mobilizatsiju__video_ |archive-date=20 February 2015 |website=dusia.telekritika.ua}}</ref> He said: "It’s better for me to serve two to five years in prison than to deliberately kill my compatriots who live in the east ... Refuse this mobilization, because this is hell, this is horror! It is impossible for people in the 21st century to kill others just because they want to live separately".<ref name=":11" />
In mid-January 2015, on the eve of the first stage of the [[Mobilization in Ukraine#2015|Fourth wave of mobilization]], Kotsaba published on YouTube a video message "I refuse to be mobilized,"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kotsaba |first1=Ruslan |date=January 17, 2015 |title=Інтернет-акція "Я відмовляюся від мобілізації" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve_AJRn-HJA |website=youtube.com |publisher=Ruslan Kotsaba |language=uk |format=video}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20-26 February 2015 |title=Руслан Коцаба. Исповедь арестанта Тюремные записки журналиста, обвиняемого в измене Родине, — эксклюзивно в «Репортере» |trans-title=RUSLAN KOTSABA. CONFESSION OF A PRISONER. Prison notes of a journalist accused of treason - exclusively in Reporter |url=http://reporter.vesti-ukr.com/art/y2015/n6/13145-ruslan-kotsaba-ispoved-arestanta.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221020345/http://reporter.vesti-ukr.com/art/y2015/n6/13145-ruslan-kotsaba-ispoved-arestanta.html#.VOs5nXysUYz |archive-date=21 February 2015 |website=reporter.vesti-ukr.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2016 |title=Чьей совести узник Руслан Коцаба? |trans-title=Whose conscience is prisoner Ruslan Kotsaba? |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/articles/2016/01/19/7095874/ |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Украинская правда |language=ru}}</ref> in which he declared that he was ready to serve as long as required by law, but was not going to join the army.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2015 |title=Журналист Руслан Коцаба призвал бойкотировать мобилизацию (ВИДЕО) |trans-title=JOURNALIST RUSLAN KOTSABA URGED TO BOYCOTT THE MOBILIZATION (VIDEO) |url=http://dusia.telekritika.ua/novosti/27379/zhurnalist_ruslan_kotsaba_prizval_boijkotirovat_mobilizatsiju__video_ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220170514/http://dusia.telekritika.ua/novosti/27379/zhurnalist_ruslan_kotsaba_prizval_boijkotirovat_mobilizatsiju__video_ |archive-date=20 February 2015 |website=dusia.telekritika.ua}}</ref> He pointed out that there were very few Russian soldiers in the Donbas, called the war in the Donbas a "civil war" and urged all "decent people" to boycott the mobilisation<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Hoffmann |date=December 7, 2015 |title=Візит Байдена: кінець пільгового періоду для Києва? |trans-title=Biden's visit: the end of the grace period for Kyiv? |url=https://www.dw.com/uk/%D0%B2%D1%96%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%82-%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%86%D1%8C-%D0%BF%D1%96%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%96%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%83-%D0%B4%D0%BB%D1%8F-%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%94%D0%B2%D0%B0/a-18898423 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=uk}}</ref>. He said: "It’s better for me to serve two to five years in prison than to deliberately kill my compatriots who live in the east ... Refuse this mobilization, because this is hell, this is horror! It is impossible for people in the 21st century to kill others just because they want to live separately".<ref name=":11" />


Kotsaba's public stance attracted the attention of the Russian media, and to participate in a television programme on [[Russia-1]] Kotsaba came specially to Moscow.<ref name=":11" />
Kotsaba's public stance attracted the attention of the Russian media, and to participate in a television programme on [[Russia-1]] Kotsaba came specially to Moscow.<ref name=":11" />


At the end of January the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] (SBU) started a pre-trial investigation at the request of a citizen and on 7 February Kotsaba was arrested.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2015 |title=Суд арестовал на два месяца журналиста Р.Коцабу, которого подозревают в государственной измене (дополнено) |trans-title=The court arrested journalist R. Kotsaba for two months, who is suspected of high treason (updated) |url=http://www.unn.com.ua/ru/news/1435555-sud-zaareshtuvav-na-dva-misyatsi-zhurnalista-r-kotsabu-yakogo-pidozryuyut-u-derzhaniy-zradi-dopovneno |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234724/http://www.unn.com.ua/ru/news/1435555-sud-zaareshtuvav-na-dva-misyatsi-zhurnalista-r-kotsabu-yakogo-pidozryuyut-u-derzhaniy-zradi-dopovneno |archive-date=14 April 2018 |website=[[Ukrainian News Agency]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2015 |title=СБУ не порушувала кримінальне провадження стосовно Руслана Коцаби – офіційна відповідь |trans-title=The SBU did not initiate criminal proceedings against Ruslan Kotsaba - the official answer |url=http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-01-28/103045 |url-status=dead |website=telekritika.ua/}}</ref> He was charged with violating Part 1 of Art. 111 (High treason) and Part 1 of Art. 114-1 (Obstruction of the lawful activities of the armed forces of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code, and could have faced a sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2016 |title=Чийого сумління в’язень Руслан Коцаба? Репортаж із зали суду |trans-title=Whose conscience is Ruslan Kotsaba a prisoner of conscience? Report from the courtroom |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2016/01/19/7095874/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref>
At the end of January the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] (SBU) started a pre-trial investigation at the request of a citizen and on 7 February Kotsaba was arrested.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2015 |title=Суд арестовал на два месяца журналиста Р.Коцабу, которого подозревают в государственной измене (дополнено) |trans-title=The court arrested journalist R. Kotsaba for two months, who is suspected of high treason (updated) |url=http://www.unn.com.ua/ru/news/1435555-sud-zaareshtuvav-na-dva-misyatsi-zhurnalista-r-kotsabu-yakogo-pidozryuyut-u-derzhaniy-zradi-dopovneno |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234724/http://www.unn.com.ua/ru/news/1435555-sud-zaareshtuvav-na-dva-misyatsi-zhurnalista-r-kotsabu-yakogo-pidozryuyut-u-derzhaniy-zradi-dopovneno |archive-date=14 April 2018 |website=[[Ukrainian News Agency]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2015 |title=СБУ не порушувала кримінальне провадження стосовно Руслана Коцаби – офіційна відповідь |trans-title=The SBU did not initiate criminal proceedings against Ruslan Kotsaba - the official answer |url=http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-01-28/103045 |url-status=dead |website=telekritika.ua/}}</ref> He was charged with violating Part 1 of Art. 111 (High treason) and Part 1 of Art. 114-1 (Obstruction of the lawful activities of the armed forces of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code, and could have faced a sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kravchuk |first=Zoya |date=9 February 2015 |title=Ukrainian journalist faces 15 years in jail after calls to boycott the draft |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/ukrainian-journalist-faces-15-years-in-jail-after-calls-to-boycott-draft/ |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=[[openDemocracy]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2016 |title=Чийого сумління в’язень Руслан Коцаба? Репортаж із зали суду |trans-title=Whose conscience is Ruslan Kotsaba a prisoner of conscience? Report from the courtroom |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2016/01/19/7095874/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref>

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On 9 February 2015 the international human rights organization [[Amnesty International]] called on the Ukrainian authorities to immediately release the journalist, and on 11 February called Kotsaba a [[prisoner of conscience]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Feb 2015 |title=Amnesty International назвала украинского журналиста Руслана Коцабу узником совести |trans-title=Amnesty International calls Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Kotsaba a prisoner of conscience |url=http://amnesty.org.ru/ru/2015-02-11-kotsaba/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403053315/http://amnesty.org.ru/ru/2015-02-11-kotsaba/ |archive-date=3 Apr 2015 |website=amnesty.org.ru}}</ref> for the first time in 5 years.<ref name=":12" /> Criticism of Kotsaba's arrest was voiced also by former member of parliament from the [[Party of Regions]] [[Irina Berezhna]],<ref name=":11" /> [[Ombudsman in Ukraine#Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Ombudsmen|ombudsperson for human rights]] [[Valeriya Lutkovska]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Feb 2015 |title=Валерія Лутковська: «Таке обмеження свободи, як у справі Руслана Коцаби, є недопустимим у демократичному суспільстві» |trans-title=Valeriya Lutkovska: "Such restriction of freedom, as in the case of Ruslan Kotsaba, is unacceptable in a democratic society" |url=http://www.ombudsman.gov.ua/ua/all-news/pr/10215-nm-valeriya-lutkovska-take-obmezhennya-svobodi-yak-u-spravi-ruslana-kotsa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220173959/http://www.ombudsman.gov.ua/ua/all-news/pr/10215-nm-valeriya-lutkovska-take-obmezhennya-svobodi-yak-u-spravi-ruslana-kotsa/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2015 |website=ombudsman.gov.ua}}</ref> the [[Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2015 |title=Українська Гельсінська спілка назвала арешт Руслана Коцаби «переслідуванням за політичними мотивами» |trans-title=The Ukrainian Helsinki Union called the arrest of Ruslan Kotsaba "politically motivated persecution" |url=http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-10/103556 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528161538/http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-10/103556 |archive-date=28 May 2016 |website=Telekritika}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Coynash |first=Halya |date=31 March 2015 |title=Ruslan Kotsaba - Post-Maidan Ukraine’s First Political Prisoner? |url=https://khpg.org//en/1427760888 |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group}}</ref> the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Sep 2015 |title=НМПУ заявляє, що арешт Руслана Коцаби попри неоднозначність його дій створює небезпечний прецедент |trans-title=NMPU declares that the arrest of Ruslan Kotsaba, despite the ambiguity of his actions, creates a dangerous precedent |url=http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-09/103489 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209225735/http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-09/103489 |archive-date=9 Feb 2015 |website=telekritika}}</ref> and Ukrainian writer [[Taras Prokhasko]], who said that Kotsaba had voiced what others were afraid to admit.<ref name=":12" /> In June 2017, the Kiev regional organization of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine awarded Kotsaba a certificate "For special merit" to express its support.

⚫
On 12 May 2016 the Ivano-Frankivsk city Court sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison. Kotsaba was acquitted of the charge of treason, but qualified his conduct as obstruction of the lawful actions of the armed forces of Ukraine during a special period.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2016 |title=Коцаба не признали изменником, но дали 3,5 года тюрьмы |trans-title=Kotsab was not recognized as a traitor, but was given 3.5 years in prison |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2016/05/12/7108218/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |language=ru}}</ref>


On 14 July 2016 the Ivano-Frankivsk region Court of Appeal declared Kotsaba innocent on all counts. Kotsaba was released from custody. In total, he had spent 524 days in custody.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2016 |title=«Какофонию ненависти надо прекращать» |trans-title="The cacophony of hate must be stopped" |url=https://vz.ru/world/2016/7/14/821510.html |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=[[Vzglyad (newspaper)|ВЗГЛЯД.РУ]] |language=ru}}</ref>
⚫
On 9 February 2015 the international human rights organization [[Amnesty International]] called on the Ukrainian authorities to immediately release the journalist, and on 11 February called Kotsaba a [[prisoner of conscience]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Feb 2015 |title=Amnesty International назвала украинского журналиста Руслана Коцабу узником совести |trans-title=Amnesty International calls Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Kotsaba a prisoner of conscience |url=http://amnesty.org.ru/ru/2015-02-11-kotsaba/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403053315/http://amnesty.org.ru/ru/2015-02-11-kotsaba/ |archive-date=3 Apr 2015 |website=amnesty.org.ru}}</ref> for the first time in 5 years.<ref name=":12" /> Criticism of Kotsaba's arrest was voiced also by former member of parliament from the [[Party of Regions]] [[Irina Berezhna]],<ref name=":11" /> [[Ombudsman in Ukraine#Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Ombudsmen|ombudsperson for human rights]] [[Valeriya Lutkovska]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Feb 2015 |title=Валерія Лутковська: «Таке обмеження свободи, як у справі Руслана Коцаби, є недопустимим у демократичному суспільстві» |trans-title=Valeriya Lutkovska: "Such restriction of freedom, as in the case of Ruslan Kotsaba, is unacceptable in a democratic society" |url=http://www.ombudsman.gov.ua/ua/all-news/pr/10215-nm-valeriya-lutkovska-take-obmezhennya-svobodi-yak-u-spravi-ruslana-kotsa/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220173959/http://www.ombudsman.gov.ua/ua/all-news/pr/10215-nm-valeriya-lutkovska-take-obmezhennya-svobodi-yak-u-spravi-ruslana-kotsa/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2015 |website=ombudsman.gov.ua}}</ref> the [[Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2015 |title=Українська Гельсінська спілка назвала арешт Руслана Коцаби «переслідуванням за політичними мотивами» |trans-title=The Ukrainian Helsinki Union called the arrest of Ruslan Kotsaba "politically motivated persecution" |url=http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-10/103556 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528161538/http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-10/103556 |archive-date=28 May 2016 |website=Telekritika}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Coynash |first=Halya |date=31 March 2015 |title=Ruslan Kotsaba - Post-Maidan Ukraine’s First Political Prisoner? |url=https://khpg.org//en/1427760888 |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group}}</ref> the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Sep 2015 |title=НМПУ заявляє, що арешт Руслана Коцаби попри неоднозначність його дій створює небезпечний прецедент |trans-title=NMPU declares that the arrest of Ruslan Kotsaba, despite the ambiguity of his actions, creates a dangerous precedent |url=http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-09/103489 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209225735/http://www.telekritika.ua/pravo/2015-02-09/103489 |archive-date=9 Feb 2015 |website=telekritika}}</ref><ref name=":12" />


⚫
On 1 June 2017 the High Special Court for Civil Criminal Proceedings overturned the acquittal of Ruslan Kotsaba. On 29 May 2018 the Court of Appeal of the Lviv Region upheld the decision of the Dolinsky District Court of the Ivano-Frankivsk Region; thus Kotsaba was re-acquitted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Руслан Коцаба признан невиновным окончательно! |trans-title=RUSLAN KOTSABA IS FINALLY FOUND NOT GUILTY! |url=http://news24ua.com/ruslan-kocaba-priznan-nevinovnym-okonchatelno |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604205802/http://news24ua.com/ruslan-kocaba-priznan-nevinovnym-okonchatelno |archive-date=4 June 2018 |website=news24ua}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Руслан Коцаба повторно оправдан |url=https://www.2000.ua/novosti/ukraina_novosti/ruslan-kocaba-opravdan-apelljacionnym-sudom.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140451/https://www.2000.ua/novosti/ukraina_novosti/ruslan-kocaba-opravdan-apelljacionnym-sudom.htm |archive-date=29 May 2018 |website=2000.ua}}</ref>
⚫
On 12 May 2016 the Ivano-Frankivsk city Court sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison. Kotsaba was acquitted of the charge of treason, but qualified his conduct as obstruction of the lawful actions of the armed forces of Ukraine during a special period.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2016 |title=Коцаба не признали изменником, но дали 3,5 года тюрьмы |trans-title=Kotsab was not recognized as a traitor, but was given 3.5 years in prison |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2016/05/12/7108218/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |language=ru}}</ref> On 14 July 2016 the Ivano-Frankivsk region Court of Appeal declared Kotsaba innocent on all counts. Kotsaba was released from custody. In total, he had spent 524 days in custody.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2016 |title=«Какофонию ненависти надо прекращать» |trans-title="The cacophony of hate must be stopped" |url=https://vz.ru/world/2016/7/14/821510.html |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=[[Vzglyad (newspaper)|ВЗГЛЯД.РУ]] |language=ru}}</ref>


Following Kotsaba's arrest and trial, the video riceived more than 400,000 views<ref name=":14" />, 6000 likes and 600 dislikes.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":13" />
⚫
On 1 June 2017 the High Special Court for Civil Criminal Proceedings overturned the acquittal of Ruslan Kotsaba. On 29 May 2018 the Court of Appeal of the Lviv Region upheld the decision of the Dolinsky District Court of the Ivano-Frankivsk Region; thus Kotsaba was re-acquitted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Руслан Коцаба признан невиновным окончательно! |trans-title=RUSLAN KOTSABA IS FINALLY FOUND NOT GUILTY! |url=http://news24ua.com/ruslan-kocaba-priznan-nevinovnym-okonchatelno |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604205802/http://news24ua.com/ruslan-kocaba-priznan-nevinovnym-okonchatelno |archive-date=4 June 2018 |website=news24ua}}</ref>


== Notes ==
== Notes ==

Revision as of 23:52, 3 December 2022

Ruslan Petrovych Kotsaba
activist

Ruslan Petrovych Kotsaba (Ukrainian: Руслан Петрович Коцаба) is a Ukrainian freelance journalist, blogger, civil society activist and prisoner of conscience.[1][2][3]

He became well known for his call in January 2015 to boycott the

war in Donbas
. In May 2016 the court found Kotsaba guilty of obstructing the activities of the armed forces and he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment. He was acquitted by the Court of Appeals and released in July 2016 after having spent 524 days in prison.

As of December 2022, Kotsaba is included in the Myrotvorets database of "enemies of Ukraine".[4]

Biography

Ecologist by education, Kotsaba graduated from the Ukrainian National Forestry University and the National Academy for Public Administration.[5][6] In the 1990s he participated in the Revolution on Granite, and during the Orange Revolution he led the regional organization of the national-liberal Pora party.[6][7] At the beginning of 2005 he joined the civic movement associated with Vladyslav Kaskiv,[8][9] who was elected as a member of parliament for Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc in 2007. From 2007 to 2012 Kotsaba was his paid parliamentary assistant.[citation needed]

Kotsaba supported

pro-Russian militias.[10][11] Kotsaba described himself as a Ukrainian patriot, but he did not oppose the secession of the country's eastern provinces.[10]

The case of high treason

In mid-January 2015, on the eve of the first stage of the Fourth wave of mobilization, Kotsaba published on YouTube a video message "I refuse to be mobilized,"[12][13][14] in which he declared that he was ready to serve as long as required by law, but was not going to join the army.[15] He pointed out that there were very few Russian soldiers in the Donbas, called the war in the Donbas a "civil war" and urged all "decent people" to boycott the mobilisation[10][16]. He said: "It’s better for me to serve two to five years in prison than to deliberately kill my compatriots who live in the east ... Refuse this mobilization, because this is hell, this is horror! It is impossible for people in the 21st century to kill others just because they want to live separately".[10]

Kotsaba's public stance attracted the attention of the Russian media, and to participate in a television programme on Russia-1 Kotsaba came specially to Moscow.[10]

At the end of January the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) started a pre-trial investigation at the request of a citizen and on 7 February Kotsaba was arrested.[17][18] He was charged with violating Part 1 of Art. 111 (High treason) and Part 1 of Art. 114-1 (Obstruction of the lawful activities of the armed forces of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code, and could have faced a sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.[7][19][20]

On 9 February 2015 the international human rights organization Amnesty International called on the Ukrainian authorities to immediately release the journalist, and on 11 February called Kotsaba a prisoner of conscience[21] for the first time in 5 years.[1] Criticism of Kotsaba's arrest was voiced also by former member of parliament from the Party of Regions Irina Berezhna,[10] ombudsperson for human rights Valeriya Lutkovska,[22] the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union,[23][24] the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine,[25] and Ukrainian writer Taras Prokhasko, who said that Kotsaba had voiced what others were afraid to admit.[1] In June 2017, the Kiev regional organization of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine awarded Kotsaba a certificate "For special merit" to express its support.

On 12 May 2016 the Ivano-Frankivsk city Court sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison. Kotsaba was acquitted of the charge of treason, but qualified his conduct as obstruction of the lawful actions of the armed forces of Ukraine during a special period.[26]

On 14 July 2016 the Ivano-Frankivsk region Court of Appeal declared Kotsaba innocent on all counts. Kotsaba was released from custody. In total, he had spent 524 days in custody.[1][27]

On 1 June 2017 the High Special Court for Civil Criminal Proceedings overturned the acquittal of Ruslan Kotsaba. On 29 May 2018 the Court of Appeal of the Lviv Region upheld the decision of the Dolinsky District Court of the Ivano-Frankivsk Region; thus Kotsaba was re-acquitted.[28][29]

Following Kotsaba's arrest and trial, the video riceived more than 400,000 views[24], 6000 likes and 600 dislikes.[24][20]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d "Коцаба озвучив таємні бажання багатьох українців – письменник" [Kotsaba voiced the secret desires of many Ukrainians - a writer]. Радіо Свобода (in Ukrainian). 26 July 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  2. ^ Daza Sierra, Felip (2022). Ukrainian Nonviolent Civil Resistance in the face of war: Analysis of trends, impacts and challenges of nonviolent action in Ukraine between February and June 2022 (PDF). ICIP & Novact.
  3. ^ "Відомого закликами проти мобілізації Руслана Коцабу не пустили на захід - ЗМІ від нього відхрещуються" [Ruslan Kotsaba, known for calls against mobilization, was not allowed to the event - the media deny it]. Телекритика. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015.
  4. ^ "Коцаба Руслан Петрович / Коцаба Руслан Петрович / Kotsaba Ruslan Petrovich". Myrotvorets (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  5. Ukrayina Moloda. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 5 March 2016 suggested (help
    )
  6. ^ a b "Руслан Коцаба не хоче віддавати борг" [Руслан Коцаба не хоче віддавати борг]. Gazeta.ua (in Ukrainian). 2010-12-06. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  7. ^ a b c Manchuk, Andriy (7 April 2016). "Ukraine's political trials". liva.com.ua. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  8. ^ "Новини України: ГП «Пора» стала більш закритою" [SE "Pora" has become more closed]. Гал-інфо. January 22, 2008. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  9. ^ Stavska, Yana (25 June 2021). "Ведучого "каналу Медведчука" облили зеленкою в Івано-Франківську (відео)" [The host of the "Medvedchuk channel" was doused with green tea in Ivano-Frankivsk (video)]. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "«Он системно гадил украинской обороне» Кто такой журналист Руслан Коцаба, которого судят на Украине за госизмену" [“He systematically spoiled the Ukrainian defense” Who is the journalist Ruslan Kotsaba, who is on trial in Ukraine for treason]. Meduza (in Russian). February 10, 2015. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  11. ^ Сидорчик, Андрей (2015-02-09). "Враг народа. Украинский журналист Руслан Коцаба арестован за «шпионаж»" [Enemy of the people. Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Kotsaba arrested for 'espionage']. Аргументы и Факты (in Russian). Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  12. ^ Kotsaba, Ruslan (January 17, 2015). "Інтернет-акція "Я відмовляюся від мобілізації"" (video). youtube.com (in Ukrainian). Ruslan Kotsaba.
  13. ^ "Руслан Коцаба. Исповедь арестанта Тюремные записки журналиста, обвиняемого в измене Родине, — эксклюзивно в «Репортере»" [RUSLAN KOTSABA. CONFESSION OF A PRISONER. Prison notes of a journalist accused of treason - exclusively in Reporter]. reporter.vesti-ukr.com. 20–26 February 2015. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  14. ^ "Чьей совести узник Руслан Коцаба?" [Whose conscience is prisoner Ruslan Kotsaba?]. Украинская правда (in Russian). 19 January 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  15. ^ "Журналист Руслан Коцаба призвал бойкотировать мобилизацию (ВИДЕО)" [JOURNALIST RUSLAN KOTSABA URGED TO BOYCOTT THE MOBILIZATION (VIDEO)]. dusia.telekritika.ua. 18 January 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015.
  16. ^ Frank, Hoffmann (December 7, 2015). "Візит Байдена: кінець пільгового періоду для Києва?" [Biden's visit: the end of the grace period for Kyiv?]. Deutsche Welle (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2022-12-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Суд арестовал на два месяца журналиста Р.Коцабу, которого подозревают в государственной измене (дополнено)" [The court arrested journalist R. Kotsaba for two months, who is suspected of high treason (updated)]. Ukrainian News Agency. February 8, 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018.
  18. ^ "СБУ не порушувала кримінальне провадження стосовно Руслана Коцаби – офіційна відповідь" [The SBU did not initiate criminal proceedings against Ruslan Kotsaba - the official answer]. telekritika.ua/. 28 January 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Kravchuk, Zoya (9 February 2015). "Ukrainian journalist faces 15 years in jail after calls to boycott the draft". openDemocracy. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  20. ^ a b "Чийого сумління в'язень Руслан Коцаба? Репортаж із зали суду" [Whose conscience is Ruslan Kotsaba a prisoner of conscience? Report from the courtroom]. Українська правда (in Ukrainian). January 19, 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  21. ^ "Amnesty International назвала украинского журналиста Руслана Коцабу узником совести" [Amnesty International calls Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Kotsaba a prisoner of conscience]. amnesty.org.ru. 11 Feb 2015. Archived from the original on 3 Apr 2015.
  22. ^ "Валерія Лутковська: «Таке обмеження свободи, як у справі Руслана Коцаби, є недопустимим у демократичному суспільстві»" [Valeriya Lutkovska: "Such restriction of freedom, as in the case of Ruslan Kotsaba, is unacceptable in a democratic society"]. ombudsman.gov.ua. 10 Feb 2015. Archived from the original on 20 Feb 2015.
  23. ^ "Українська Гельсінська спілка назвала арешт Руслана Коцаби «переслідуванням за політичними мотивами»" [The Ukrainian Helsinki Union called the arrest of Ruslan Kotsaba "politically motivated persecution"]. Telekritika. 10 February 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
  24. ^ a b c Coynash, Halya (31 March 2015). "Ruslan Kotsaba - Post-Maidan Ukraine's First Political Prisoner?". Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  25. ^ "НМПУ заявляє, що арешт Руслана Коцаби попри неоднозначність його дій створює небезпечний прецедент" [NMPU declares that the arrest of Ruslan Kotsaba, despite the ambiguity of his actions, creates a dangerous precedent]. telekritika. 2 Sep 2015. Archived from the original on 9 Feb 2015.
  26. ^ "Коцаба не признали изменником, но дали 3,5 года тюрьмы" [Kotsab was not recognized as a traitor, but was given 3.5 years in prison]. Ukrainska Pravda (in Russian). 12 May 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ "«Какофонию ненависти надо прекращать»" ["The cacophony of hate must be stopped"]. ВЗГЛЯД.РУ (in Russian). July 14, 2016. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  28. ^ "Руслан Коцаба признан невиновным окончательно!" [RUSLAN KOTSABA IS FINALLY FOUND NOT GUILTY!]. news24ua. May 31, 2018. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018.
  29. ^ "Руслан Коцаба повторно оправдан". 2000.ua. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 12 June 2018 suggested (help)

Weblinks

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