Ukrainian human rights organizations called on international institutions to introduce personal sanctions against those involved in the illegal imprisonment and death of two activists in Russian prisons, Kostiantyn Shyrinh and Dzhemil Gafarov, who opposed the illegal annexation of Crimea.Kostiantyn Shyrinh and Dzhemil Gafarov received the longest sentences from Russian courts, which accused them of spying and terrorism with zero credible evidence. The political prisoners were gravely ill and needed regular medical help, but Russia rejected appeals to preclude their detention. Prison administration not only ignored their complaints but also took away their prescriptions and medical devices.
In February 2023, it became known that Shyrinh and Gafarov died in Russian detention facilities. Human rights organizations say Russia intentionally creates such unbearable conditions in its jails to eliminate dissenters and conceal its crimes against political prisoners.