Ukrainian Justice As It Is

Despite the fact that protests in Ukrainian capital have lasted now for over a month, one is still being asked why. Such inquiring voices are heard both in Ukraine and outside of it. Why would people continue standing in cold Ukrainian winter? Why would they risk a confrontation with the police? What’s the point of occupying the central square if the government continues to ignore the protesters? Why to continue if the situation seems to have taken the form of a stalemate? Why? What for? Is that EU Agreement so important?

Well, the list of grievances could get pretty long. But here is at least one reason for you.

What this picture captures is an example of double standards common to Ukrainian justice system or rather its absence. On the left side is Iryna Horyna – an MP from Party of Regions (the ruling party at the moment). On April, 2^nd 2013 Ms Horyna and several other deputies were under snowball fire from protesters… Yes, snowball fire! And yes, we do protest a lot in Ukraine, especially lately. Later that day Ms Horyna asked for medical help and turned to police claiming that protesters wanted to kill her. Here are some videos of that “brutal” attack by the protesters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htp8UHPRhjk#t=54

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNmZB-b5EgA

As the result of Ms Horyna’s claims a case was opened according to Part 1, Article 15. “Assault to murder” of the Criminal Code. And if the author of this article does not think that this snowball attack was a particularly civilized way to state a disapproval of the deputies’ political behaviour, it certainly seems somewhat odd to call it “assault to murder”.

To explaine: The reason for the protest was the failed voting in the Parliament for election of the next mayor of the capital – Kyiv (or Kiew / Kiev). This in its turn resulted in prolongation of an unlawful state – the capital being governed by a person appointed directly by the president, which is impossible according to Ukrainian laws. The new elections were supposed to take place in summer this year, but were postponed! This is another story, though…

Compare it now to the right side of the picture. These are photos taken of Ms Tetyana Chornovil (or Chornovol) before and after an assault on her life. Ms Chornovil is a journalist and activist of the Maidan. She is known for her coverage of corruption crimes committed by deputies, government, police officers and president himself. Ms Chornovil has also presented the public with photos of the gorgeous mansions some of those listed above have built for themselves and their families. As reported before, Ms Chornovil has been attacked last night while driving. The truly outrageous part is that persons accused of assaulting her stand charged with “Hooliganism” according to Part 2, Article 296 of the Criminal Code.

This is a sample of Ukrainian justice or rather of its absence.  For those who stand on the central square in Kyiv or do it in their hearts, if they can’t be on the square, it seems like a good reason to continue standing. And so they stand!

The picture was taken from here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=584842338254037&set=a.131961433542132.27204.100001848270161&type=1 

Update: Charges of hooliganism have been apparently changed to charges of “serious bodily injury”  according to Part 1, Article 121 of the Criminal Code. An MP from Batkivshyna party – Volodymyr Yavorivskyi – indicates that even this charge might be changed to a charge of an “attempted murder“. Let’s see where this will eventually take us all to, shall we?

Source of the update: http://vgolos.com.ua/news/spravu_chornovol_perekvalifikuvaly_na_nanesennya_vazhkyh_tilesnyh_128924.html