Sentences for expressing opinions in social networks are a sign of a lack of democracy in the country.

This was stated by MP from the "Opposition block", member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech Yuriy Pavlenko, commenting on the publication "Deutsche Welle" that since 2014 in Ukraine for the posts in social networks 36 sentences have been handed down.

"When in Ukraine are sentenced for positions in social networks, cynically talk about unlimited freedom of speech. In social networks citizens express their opinion, and this can not be an occasion for criminal cases. Especially on the background of the fact that some politicians with impunity threaten with murders for the opposition to the current course. Sentences for social networks are a sign of a lack of democracy. If we are talking about the European course, then the authorities, first of all, need to abandon the repressive policy towards their own citizens, "Pavlenko believes..

According to the deputy, the authorities' intolerant position in relation to someone else's opinion has led to the fact that in Ukraine they attack media outlets, kill and arrest journalists.

"The arson of Inter, the murders of Oles Buzina and Pavel Sheremet - that's what law enforcement agencies should investigate in a country where the government defends freedom of speech. And when law enforcers arrest the editor-in-chief of one of the most popular media - the site "Country" - and pass sentence for posts in social networks, this is not a defense of freedom of speech, but an attempt to destroy it, "Pavlenko added..

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