Turkish ombudsman to visit Ukrainian prisoners in Russia

Turkish Chief Ombudsman Sheref Malkoc intends to pay a visit to places where Ukrainian prisoners of war are held in the Russian Federation. This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War of the Defence Ministry.

After visiting the camp with Russian prisoners in Ukraine, the Chief Ombudsman of the Republic of Turkey Seref Malkoç is going to go to Russia to check the conditions of detention of Ukrainian prisoners on the territory of the aggressor state, - stated in the message.

It is noted that having made sure that the Ukrainian side complies with the Geneva Conventions, Sheref Malkoc intends to obtain permission from the Russian side for a similar visit to Russia. The Turkish human rights defender hopes that such a visit can "pave the way for a prisoner exchange".

If we have the opportunity, we plan to go to Russia and conduct similar research and then publish a report. But I repeat again that more important than the publication of the report, if we could contribute to it, at least in part, would be the exchange of prisoners," Sheref Malkoch said.

At the end of March, a delegation from Sheref Malkoc visited a camp in western Ukraine where Russian prisoners of war are being held.

The Turkish ombudsman was accompanied by the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, who is also a representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

During his trip to Ukraine, Sheref Malkoc took part in a large meeting with the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war.