Ukraine has set up five special pre-trial detention centres and penal colonies to hold extradited individuals. These facilities are located far from combat zones and have been refurbished.

Source: an investigation by Mykhailo Tkach entitled Prisons for bandits! Dozens of former top officials are hiding abroad – what can be done?

Details: The facilities are situated in Chernivtsi, Lviv and Zakarpattia oblasts.

Ukrainska Pravda has posted photographs of the detention centres and penal colonies, showing refurbished rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, all in light colours.

The inside of a special pre-trial detention centre.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

These five facilities already offer over one thousand places for holding convicted individuals in compliance with Ukraine’s international human rights obligations.

The inside of a special pre-trial detention centre.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Ukrainska Pravda indicates Ukraine will provide guarantees in each individual case that extradited persons will be held specifically in these facilities.

The inside of a special pre-trial detention centre.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

"And here’s some good news for those hiding in Germany and, of course, Austria. Representatives of these countries have already visited and inspected the designated prisons and given a positive assessment," the investigation states.

Work has also begun or is nearing completion on six more such facilities.

The inside of a special pre-trial detention centre.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

This prison reform has already had a positive effect on extradition. In 2024, 21 individuals were extradited from Poland, 10 from Germany, two each from Czechia and Spain and one each from Bulgaria, Italy, Norway, Romania and Austria.

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