Ukrainian judges launch #I’amnotafraidofacquittingaperson flash mob for acquittals

Judge of the Kirovohrad District Administrative Court Roman Brehey has launched the all-Ukrainian social flash mob #I’amnotafraidofacquittingaperson.

He wrote about this on his Facebook page.

The flash mob calls on judges to publish acquittals, including the repealed ones, on their Facebook pages with a link to the register of court rulings.

“I suggest holding a flash mob, the purpose of which is to convey to the public that there have been and are the judges, who have been not afraid and are not afraid of defending the innocent. It will give strength and confidence of those judges who have not yet overcome the said fear. The judges need to publish acquittals (with links to the register and including those, which were repealed) on their Facebook pages with a brief description of the circumstances of the case and the conclusions of the court. The public should see that the fates of the people are important for the judges and they are ready to defend them, struggling with their own fears,” the judge wrote.

Brehey described his acquittal of a minor, who was accused of robbery. The accused suffered from mental illness and was the eldest child in a large family. He helped his mother, who was constantly abused by father.

According to the judge, having examined the case files, the court concluded that the defendant was sound and acquitted him due to lack of elements of crime.

“The Court of Appeal disagreed with me, repealed the verdict and sent the case for new consideration,” Brehey noted.

Other judges did not join the flash mob in the first few days, but after another call of judge Brehey, it was caught up by judges from Poltava, Lviv, Ternopil, and other cities of Ukraine.