DONETSK. Oct 31 (Interfax) - The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) is ready for a "85 for 52" captive swap, but the process is so far being blocked by the Ukrainian side, DPR human rights commissioner Darya Morozova told the press on Thursday.
"The process is so far blocked by Ukraine's failure to guarantee that people to be exchanged, who are currently not convicts, their criminal cases are either being investigated or they are standing trial, that their record will be fully expunged or, in case of conviction, they will be pardoned and every criminal proceeding against them will stop," Morozova said.
"For now, the Ukrainian side has confirmed the existence of 85 captives, and we have confirmed the existence of 52 persons to Ukraine," she said.
Before carrying out the swap, it is necessary to verify and update lists of captives since some of them may have served their time and been released or may have refused to be exchanged, Morozova said.
"Mr. Frisch [the OSCE coordinator of the humanitarian subgroup] has kindly agreed to provide verification after all sides express their formal consent. The Donetsk People's Republic does not object to his candidacy and is ready to give necessary assistance," she said.