Political prisoner Serhiy Tsygipa celebrated his 65th birthday while in Russian captivity

<span><span><span><span><span><span>On August 10, Serhiy Tsygipa, a Crimean political prisoner and citizen journalist from Nova Kakhovka, turned 65. He celebrated his birthday behind bars. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>This was reported by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Serhiy Tsygipa has been in prison for five consecutive years. The occupiers imprisoned the journalist because, following the occupation of Nova Kakhovka, he documented the crimes committed by the occupying forces in the seized territories, gave interviews to Ukrainian and international media, and provided humanitarian aid to people with disabilities and retirees.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>He was detained on March 12, 2022 , at a checkpoint while carrying medicine and food to his mother-in-law in Tavriysk. It later emerged that he was being held in Kherson, where he was interrogated and beaten, and a few days later was illegally transferred to Simferopol. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The charges in this case are based on the testimony of “anonymous witnesses” and the conclusions of so-called experts who actively collaborate with Russian security forces. The trial was conducted in gross violation of international law. On October 6, 2023, the Supreme “Court” of Crimea sentenced Serhiy Tsygipa to 13 years in prison.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

Serhiy’s wife,Olena Tsygipa, who continues to fight for the release of her husband and other political prisoners, spoke to Intentin an exclusive interview about his arrest, the trial, trust in his lawyer, fear, and their love story.

<span><span><span><span><span><span>This year, the journalist’s wife published the book*PanTsyp’s ABC of Captivity*—a collection based on Serhiy Tsygipa’s writings and stories. The illustrations for the book were created by artist Olga Plaksina. </span></span></span></span></span></span>According to the authors’ concept, each letter of the alphabet contains a separate story reflecting experiences, losses, faith, and hope for a return home. 

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