Kyiv raver Brahim Saadoune, detained by Russian forces, released as part of prisoner deal

Brahim Saadoune, a marine from Morocco who often attends raves in Kyiv, has been released after being given a death sentence in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in occupied eastern Ukraine.

Brahim Saadoune was arrested on March 12, 2022 in Mariupol, by so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in Ukraine, while he was wearing the uniform of the Ukrainian army, as a member of a naval unit of that country. Members of the Kyiv clubbing community, who have danced with him regularly at clubs such as ∄ (K41), were calling for Brahim's protection to be assured right from being captive.

After months of uncertainty, his friends, family and human rights attorney finally realised he was free after seeing pictures of him getting off a plane in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh earlier this week.

Saadoune's older sister, Iman, explained what have happened to Resident Advisor. She said: “When I realised, I couldn't even hold myself. It's something out of nowhere, it's the most beautiful moment of my life. I cried.”

Saadoune, who was captured while fighting in the Ukrainian military, was given a death sentence in June by a puppet court in the so-called DPR that was backed by Russia. Using a network of contacts he had made at his favourite Kyiv club ∄, his friends immediately started a campaign to secure his freedom and offer support.

Friends sent him notes as well as food and clothing through the #savebrahim campaign. They enlisted the aid of Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union human rights attorney Anna Koszmenko (UHHRU). Since the connection to K41 was so strong, one of Saadoune's few recent letters was embellished with the club's logo and stamp.

Muiz Avghonzoda, who met Saadoune on the dance floor at K41, spoke to RA. “It was so cute. When you're pushing the government constantly, it helps them to make more effort. It's extremely important to take actions, to talk about it, to ask countries to make effort, to enter negotiations. It's always better than silence” she said. Through the lawyer, the two were able to exchange letters, which carried messages from him to stay strong and spoke of his love for the country and his life there. In a letter between Saadoune and his sister, he said he was waiting for the Ukrainians to arrive and take the territory back.

Brahim Saadoune was among the ten prisoners released as part of a deal brokered with Saudi Arabia.

[Via: RA & The North Africa Post]