You're reading: EuroMaidan activists support ‘Bankova’ prisoners

Nine Euromaidan activists decided to spend their New Year's Eve in support of "Bankova prisoners"  -- people detained, they say, for political reasons in reference to Bankova Street, where the Presidential Administration is located. 

The EuroMaidan activists came to the Lukianivka detention center at night to support prisoners, including Road Control journalist Andriy Dzyndzya and his lawyer Viktor Smaliy, Ukrainska Pravda reported. They organized a fireworks show.

Road Control is a civic organization that exposes corruption among Ukraine’s road police. 

Road Control journalist Andriy Dzyndzya and his lawyer Viktor Smaliy were remanded in custody for two months on questionable charges. Dzyndzya is accused of stealing keys to a front-end loader that was used on Dec. 1 by activists with no clear group or party affiliation to confront riot police in front of the Presidential Administration on Bankova Street. His lawyer, Smaliy, is accused of attacking a judge. 

Besides the arrests and pretrial detentions, other members of the group have been physically attacked or forced to flee abroad.