The State Bureau of Investigations has completed the pre-trial investigation into the case of former leaders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kyiv, who are suspected of being involved in the violent dispersal of peaceful protests that took place in 2013–2014. The indictment has already been submitted to the court.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Violations of Protesters’ Rights and Punishment
The investigation established that in January and February 2014, in Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Sumy, police officers, acting on “clearly criminal orders from the Ministry of Internal Affairs leadership,” exceeded their official powers. They used force against participants of the protests and random passersby, illegally detained citizens, and obstructed the holding of peaceful assemblies. As a result of these actions, 117 individuals were injured.
“He provided support to armed formations of the Russian Federation, thereby continuing his anti-Ukrainian activities. This case highlights the danger of crimes against protesters and society as a whole being left unpunished,” adds the DBR.
The actions of former Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko, his deputy, the acting head of the Kyiv Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and another deputy are classified under articles regarding abuse of power, illegal detention, and obstruction of peaceful assemblies. The maximum penalty in the event of a guilty verdict is up to 15 years in prison.
Suspicion of Collaboration and the Consequences of the Revolution of Dignity
Additionally, the former acting head of the capital’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has been suspected of collaborative activities. According to the investigation, in July 2023, he headed the so-called “State Security Service of the Zaporizhzhia Region” in the temporarily occupied territory. This likely refers to an employee of the occupation administration, Serhiy Hanju.
According to the prosecutor’s office, during the Revolution of Dignity, 2,500 people were injured, 107 of whom died—mostly in February 2014. The deceased participants of the protests have come to be known as the Heavenly Hundred. At the same time, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, from February 18 to March 2, 2014, 17 law enforcement officers died while performing their official duties in the center of Kyiv.
A ceremony was held at the Alley of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv to commemorate the fallen participants of the Revolution of Dignity, who gave their lives 11 years ago.