Ukrainian Man Arrested in France Over Torture of Prisoners at 'Isolation' Facility

Arrest of Yevhen B. in France

According to Главком: On April 7, 2023, French authorities detained Yevhen B., a Ukrainian citizen accused of torturing and sexually assaulting detainees at the secret 'Isolation' prison in occupied Donetsk. The 45-year-old, originally from Donetsk, had been living in France since 2021. An investigation by the Central Office for Combatting Crimes Against Humanity (OCLCH) linked him to offenses committed between 2016 and 2019. This case highlights ongoing efforts by European judicial systems to hold individuals accountable for war-related atrocities, even years after the crimes occurred.

Crimes at the 'Isolation' Prison

The 'Isolation' prison, established by occupying forces in 2014 on the site of a former contemporary art center in Donetsk, held both civilians and captured military personnel. According to investigators, Yevhen B. served as an assistant to the occupation administration, tasked with extracting confessions through torture and sexual violence. Hundreds of people passed through the facility, many subjected to electric shock torture. Abuse continued even after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with documented cases of mistreatment by 'DPR' militants.

The investigation also recalls the 2021 arrest of Denis Kulikovsky, the warden of 'Isolation,' whose case concluded in June 2022. A court sentenced Kulikovsky to 15 years in prison with asset confiscation for his role in the atrocities. Ukraine's Security Service has identified 45 additional militants implicated in torture at the facility. Human rights groups have described 'Isolation' as a 'concentration camp,' underscoring the severity of the crimes committed there. Yevhen B.'s detention in France marks a significant step in probing crimes against humanity potentially linked to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

This arrest reflects growing international scrutiny of wartime offenses and reinforces commitments to prosecute those responsible for crimes against humanity.

The case could set an important precedent for future investigations and trials of others involved in similar acts of violence in Ukraine. Human rights advocates hope it will also spur the international community to respond more vigorously to human rights violations in conflict zones.