On June 17, 2022, Mariko, the daughter of poet Yan Taksyur, who was arrested on March 10 for "treason", turned to friends and colleagues:

Mariko said:

"Yan Taksyur was detained by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on March 10, 2022 after a search that lasted 8 hours.

For two days the relatives did not know where he was. It was only on March 12 that they were informed that he was in the Lukyanovka pre-trial detention center (SIZO).

- The SBU accused the poet of "high treason" (Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, 15 years in prison or life imprisonment).

But the poet is not a soldier or a representative of the authorities. He does not know any state secrets.

All he has is a word.

Doesn't a satirist in a democratic country have the right to express his opinion in his literary works?

- Yan Taksyur is on trial now.

The prosecution has a "psychological-linguistic expertise", which suggests that Taksyur's works undermine the sovereignty of our state.

What exactly is my father's poem that harms the sovereignty or violates the integrity of our country?

- A few words from the speech of Yan Taksyur at the court session:

"I have been a writer for over 35 years. I am a satirist.

I am printed in Ukraine, Russia, America, Canada.

I am read even in Japan.

I have always criticized the authorities, both under (President) Yanukovych and under (President) Kuchma.

I never hid my views and spoke out openly.

But now I've been convicted of dissent.

That is, because I think differently."

- Yan Taksyur is 70 years old.

He suffers from cancer.

Taksyur has been in jail for more than 3 months.

We are grateful to the many people who are praying for him and for the means by which you have supported us.

- Now the poet's relatives have again announced a charitable fundraiser.

Since, in order to strengthen the legal protection of Yan Taksyur, it is necessary to introduce two more lawyers into the trial.

- We will also seek a medical examination of the father, as his health has deteriorated significantly during his detention.

The fundraising card number is 5375411417402554 monobank.

"We thank you in advance for any help."

Video of Mariko's message below.