The mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boychenko said on August 11, 2022, that Russian troops are preparing a so-called “trial” of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian-occupied Mariupol (east of Ukraine) on August 24 (Independence Day of Ukraine).
Source: The mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boychenko
“Our pearl (chamber philharmonic hall. – Ed.), where only cultural events took place, is being turned into a place of “performances” called the trial of our prisoners of war. Unfortunately, there are many people in the prisons that the Russians created around Mariupol. More than 10,000 are in prisons, and many of them are military personnel. And Russians want to hold their sabbath [trial of Ukrainian war prisoners – ed.] in Mariupol on our holiday, Independence Day,” the head of the city said.
According to Boychenko, the occupiers are preparing this shameful event for August 24, but are also considering other dates.
Speaking about the possible reasons, the mayor noted that it was obviously due to the lack of victories of the Russian Federation at the front to show at least some “achievements” – the victory over the prisoners. At the same time, such actions are a war crime. Because there was an agreement with representatives of the Red Cross and the UN that the prisoners who laid down their arms, should not be tried.
At the same time, the invaders cancelled the agreements reached. The second goal of the occupiers, according to Boychenko, is to frighten other heroes who today defend the Ukrainian state.