“No No direct evidence”: lawyer defends suspect in Farion murder case
Source: Ukrainski Novyny
Ihor Sulima, the lawyer representing Vyacheslav Zinchenko, a suspect in the murder of Irina Farion, claims there is no direct evidence linking his client to the crime.
The high-stakes cases like this demand “ironclad” evidence, said Zinchenko’s lawyer, adding that at this point it remains inconclusive as the eye-witnesses’ accounts give the slightly different idea of the killer’s height and other “small things”.
At the arraingment, prosecutors failed to present surveillance video evidence that the suspect had been at the crime scene the moment Farion was shot.
“The arrows on these photos are larger than the person. Yes, the images and videos show someone walking, but we have freedom of movement,” Sulima added.
The man cuaght on camera had a mask over his face, which makes any identity recongnition difficult.
“There is no weapon, no belongings, nothing. As for the video evidence, in my view, it looks like [there were] two different men. One moves like a goblin or monkey, while the other is a regular person,” Sulima added.
The lawyer said the case needs more forensic tests and reviews. “We will wait for the results of these tests and, if necessary, push for additional ones,” Sulima noted.
Sulima drew a parallel to the Pavel Sheremet murder, suggesting this case bears similarities to that earlier investigation, where suspects were initially detained and later released. “It’s the same story. You’ll see this is similar. I wouldn’t be surprised if Zinchenko is eventually released. There is absolutely no direct evidence of his involvement in this murder. If he says he didn’t do it, I don’t know what effort the prosecution will need to prove otherwise,” he added.
Sulima also addressed why Zinchenko doesn’t outright deny his involvement but simply states, “Time will tell.” According to the lawyer, this stance is due to his firm belief in his client’s innocence.
Zinchenko’s lawyer said he is surprised the investigation isn’t “pursuing other suspects”. “If it hadn’t been him, who are you going to detain in six months or a year? Nobody. If someone else had done it, they might already be out of Ukraine. And who can leave Ukraine now? A woman. No one has paid attention to outsiders who appeared on the cameras,” he said.
The lawyer admitted he has mixed emotions about the case. “I don’t rule out that he might be guilty, but I doubt it. If he is guilty, he will face justice. If not, I will fight for his acquittal. But there must be irrefutable evidence of guilt. Perhaps the prosecution has such evidence, but we haven’t received it yet,” said he.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).
In just 1.5 months, Ukrainian specialists have created an innovative protective shell for the control modules of anti-aircraft missile systems (AMS) Patriot and Iris-T SLM. This development was another step in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, aimed at protecting key elements of the air defense system from debris damage.
Military serviceman of the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine with the call sign “Paradox” is the crew commander of the American M113 armored personnel carrier. He is a master at using it and is constantly improving, because the legionnaire’s skills are tested every day in battle. You have to drive to the front lines, often under artillery fire and drone attacks.
Notorious supporter of the concept “in order for a cow to eat less and give more milk, it needs to be fed less and milked more” “Servant of the People” Danylo Hetmantsev, under the guise of “business requirements”, registered a draft law on the collection of VAT on all foreign purchases, regardless of their value. In other words, every Ukrainian, buying goods of any value and purpose abroad, when sending them to Ukraine, will have to pay an additional fifth part, or 20% of the cost of the goods.