“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.