Russia has for the primary time confirmed that Krzysztof Galos, a Polish nationwide who by no means returned residence after he travelled to Ukraine, died in a pre-trial detention centre in Taganrog, Russia, after he was detained for "opposing" the conflict.
Supply: Polish media outlet Gazeta Wyborcza, citing an official response from Russia's Overseas Ministry acquired by Krzysztof's son
Particulars: The Russians declare that Galos died of "pure causes".
In line with the official response, which was additionally despatched to the Embassy of Poland in Moscow, Krzysztof was detained in Melitopol for "opposing the particular navy operation" (Moscow's time period for the conflict towards Ukraine) and later transferred to pre-trial detention centre No. 2 in Taganrog, the place he died on 4 July 2023.
The reason for demise was listed as "cardiomyopathy of unknown origin", which led to "cerebral oedema, pulmonary oedema and acute cardiovascular failure". Krzysztof was apparently buried in Taganrog, "with the prices coated by the Russian state".
The Russian authorities have additionally supplied the situation of the grave and particulars from the demise certificates, which had not beforehand been despatched to the Polish authorities.
Maciej Wewiór, spokesperson for Poland's Overseas Ministry, confirmed the media report and mentioned that, opposite to relevant guidelines and consular agreements, the Russian authorities had not knowledgeable the Polish facet of both the detention or the next demise of the Polish citizen.
Polish authorities are at the moment in touch with Krzysztof's household.
His son, Paweł Galos, mentioned: "At this stage, an important factor for our household is to make sure a dignified burial for my father and to acquire the demise certificates. We’re in fixed contact with the Ministry of Overseas Affairs, which has pledged to assist us in acquiring this doc and presumably bringing my father's stays again to this nation."
Background:
- In January, the Russian human rights organisation Memorial reported the demise of a 55-year-old Polish citizen in a detention centre in Taganrog. Krzysztof Galos had travelled to territories quickly occupied by Russia in 2023 to see for himself whether or not the conflict was actually taking place.
- In line with Slidstvo.Data, Ukrainian forces turned him again at a checkpoint in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, however he apparently discovered one other technique to attain occupied territory. He was detained by Russian forces in Enerhodar, then imprisoned and transferred to Russia.
- Former cellmates advised journalists that Galos had been tortured as a result of he didn’t know Russian and due to Poland's assist for Ukraine. He was crushed on the legs till they failed, and later died.
- Viktoriia Roshchyna, a journalist and Ukrainska Pravda freelancer, was additionally held and severely tortured in the identical detention centre.
- Investigative journalists established that Viktoriia died on 19 September 2024 in a detention centre in Perm Krai shortly after being transferred from Taganrog. She had been anticipated to return residence that September as a part of a prisoner change.
- Viktoriia had been unlawfully held in captivity since August 2023, after disappearing in Russian-occupied Enerhodar whereas engaged on a report about Russian torture websites.
- On 14 February 2025, Russia handed over her physique, which was lacking many organs.
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