They denounce murders and kidnappings of opponents of the Russian occupation in Ukraine

More than twenty people have been kidnapped and at least four were killed in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russian troops, including local political leaders and journalists who were trying to report on the invasion, reported the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).

Among those executed extrajudicially is Yuri Prilipkohead of the autonomous government of Gostomela town in the region of Kyivwho was shot dead along with two local volunteers while delivering food and medicine to local residents on March 7, the NGO said in a statement.

Another local politician, Oleksandr Kononovdied as a result of gunshots received on March 13, near his home in the town of Severodonetsk, in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.

Among those kidnapped are the journalist Oleg Baturinwhose case was already denounced earlier this week, but also his colleague Serhiy Tsihipathe activist Olga Haisumova and three leaders of towns occupied by the Russian army on Ukrainian soil, the NGO said in a statement.

Tsihipa disappeared on March 12 in the occupied town of Nova Kakhovain the region of Khersonwhile walking her dog (which was found alone and tied up in the street), while Haisumova was kidnapped after organizing a protest march against Russia in the town of Melitopol, in the Zaporiya region.

The mayor of that same city, Ivan Fedorovwas abducted by soldiers who entered the local government building and took him away with his head covered in a bag, and the head of the local District Council, Serhiy Prima, disappeared after a raid by eight Russian army personnel in His appartament.

To the six kidnapped by the Russian army could be added more than twenty Ukrainian activists detained in the town of Volnovaja, in the eastern region of Donetsk, whose identities have not been confirmed, stressed OMCT, who denounced that similar attacks have taken place in Crimea and Donbas since the Russian occupation of those areas in 2014.