Voice of Ukraine

From Euromaiden Press by Halya Coynash: Russia only admitted to holding Mariano Garcia Calatayud prisoner in occupied Crimea after information became available about his whereabouts and the torture he had been subjected to

It was over a year after the Russian invaders abducted Mariano Garcia Calatayud [generally known simply as Mario] from occupied Kherson before Russia admitted holding him in Russian captivity. It is also known that the 75-year-old Spaniard volunteer was subjected to savage torture, including the use of electric currents attached to his genitals.

Mariano Calatayud had been living in Kherson for eight years when the Russians invaded. As well as trying to continue his voluntary work with children deprived of parental care, he took part in the daily rallies against the Russian occupation. The demonstrations in the centre of Kherson continued until the Russians began shooting at unarmed Ukrainians protesting their invasion. In all areas that have fallen under occupation, the Russians immediately begin seizing civilians, often for no more than their open opposition to the invaders and pro-Ukrainian position.

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