There is no concept “a political prisoner” in international documents. However, hearings on March 1 events were politically motivated, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg told a press conference on January 21.

“I think people should not be kept in prison, as they were prosecuted. I do not use a term “a political prisoner”, as international documents on human rights make no reference to it,” Hammarberg stressed.

According to him, all convicts of March 1 events should face fair trials. Under the current conditions, the investigation indicates there were serious problems in ensuring justice.

“The principle of equality before the law was not observed either. My problem is these people were deprived of freedom,” he noted.