Ukrainian scientist still in Russian detention one year on, conference told
Leonid Pshenichnov (back row, centre), pictured with Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko (front right) in Hobart in 2023. (Supplied: Vasyl Myroshnychenko)
In short:
A conservation conference has been told a Ukrainian scientist has been held by Russian forces for more than a year.
Leonid Pshenichnov was arrested just before last year's annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
What's next?
Ukraine says there are serious concerns about the scientist's health, and has urged CCAMLR to demand his immediate, unconditional release.
A Ukrainian scientist arrested by Russia on the eve of an international conservation meeting in Australia in 2025 remains in detention one year on, Ukraine's ambassador says.
Leonid Pshenichnov was detained in Russian-controlled Crimea in September last year after being accused of treason for conducting research that promoted conservation measures in Antarctica.
An arrest document seen by the ABC said the conservation measures would have undermined Russia's krill fishing operations.
It also said the measures would lead to the loss of the opportunity to exploit oil resources in the area, even though mining is banned under the Antarctic Treaty.
Leonid Pshenichnov, pictured in 2024 in Tasmania, has reportedly been kept in Russian detention for more than a year. (Supplied: Vasyl Myroshnychenko)
On Monday, Ukraine ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko again raised the plight of the scientist at this year's annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation for Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart.
"He has been in detention in Simferopol for more than a year," Mr Myroshnychenko said, according to a transcript of his speech seen by the ABC.
"He is 71 years old, and his state of health is a matter of serious concern."
Vasyl Myroshnychenko says there are serious concerns for the Ukrainian scientist's health. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
The ambassador noted Mr Pshenichnov had represented Ukraine at CCAMLR since 1996.
"The charges are based on the scientific work that Leonid Pshenichnov carried out as a member of the Ukrainian delegation to CCAMLR, including documents submitted by Ukraine to the Commission," he said.
"Thus, actions undertaken within the procedures provided for by the Convention are being criminalised by the State, which is a Party to this Convention.
"This is yet another demonstration of Russia's disregard for international law and universal human values."
Concern over the scientist's continued detention was raised at this year's annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation for Antarctic Marine Living Resources. (ABC News: Jano Gibson)
The ambassador concluded his statement by urging CCAMLR members to support the demand for Mr Pshenichnov's immediate and unconditional release, as well as the end of Russia's war against Ukraine.
At last year's meeting, Australia expressed its grave concerns about the scientist's arrest.
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