"Referendums" organized by russian federation in occupied territories not to have legal force - OSCE

"Referendums" organized by russians in the occupied territories of Ukraine will not have legal force. This was announced in the OSCE on September 21, - Espresso writes.

"Since the war after the russian federation’s invasion continues, any so -called "referendums", planned with the support of forces that are illegally exercising actual control in the occupied territories of Ukraine, would contradict international standards and obligations under international humanitarian law, therefore, their results have no legal force", - the OSCE stated.

It is emphasized that operating head of the OSCE, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau, the OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Margareta Cederfelt and director of the OSCE Bureau for Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Matteo Mekacci made the relevant statement.

It is clarified that they emphasized that any elections or referenda in Ukraine can be declared and conducted only by legal authorities in compliance with national legislation and international standards.

"Therefore, the referendums planned by the occupiers in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will be legally worthless", - the report said.

It was earlier reported that two employees of the OSCE mission were accused by the "LNR" militants of "high treason" and were sentenced to 13 years in prison.