“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.
Amendments to Ukraine’s enforcement proceedings legislation, initiated by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, have entered into force. Among other measures, the reform provides for the automated lifting of attachments on bank accounts immediately after debts in enforcement proceedings have been fully settled. The main practical benefit for citizens is the complete elimination of the need to contact an enforcement officer in person and wait for paper decisions once the debt has been paid.
The 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade has received another batch of supplies as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative. This time, the military received seven quad bikes and four mobile shower and bath units.
In my previous column, I wrote about social innovations in Ukraine. Those innovations are part of civic resilience and the democratization of security, which Europe is paying close attention to right now. The EU is trying to work out how to spread responsibility for its own security across society as a whole, rather than leaving it to institutions alone. It is looking for concrete ways to bring ordinary people into the work of defense and resistance.
Petro Poroshenko’s lawyers have appealed to the High Anti-Corruption Court demanding that NABU be obligated to register proceedings regarding the fact of exerting influence on the court and to recognize Petro Poroshenko as a victim in the case of the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, due to her pressure on Supreme Court judges who were considering a lawsuit to overturn sanctions.
Internationally recognized brands and financial institutions should direct capital to Ukraine now, not waiting for the hostilities to end. This was emphasized by Rinat Akhmetov, president of FC Shakhtar, during a working visit to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where he met with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.