Injured EuroMaidan activists demand UAH 23 mln in compensation from ex-Kyiv mayor Popov

The Shevchenkivsky District Court in Kyiv questioned three victims in the case against ex-chairman of the Kyiv City State Administration Oleksandr Popov, the Human Rights Information Centre correspondent reports.

As a reminder, Oleksandr Popov is accused of involvement in crackdown on the EuroMaidan activists on the night of November 30, 2013. The investigation believes that Popov in collusion with the law enforcement agencies ordered to install a Christmas tree on the Independence Square in Kyiv.

In his civil lawsuit against Oleksandr Popov, one of the injured, Oleksandr Yasynchuk, demands UAH 1380 in compensation for repair of his cell phone, broken by the Interior Ministry employees, and UAH 10,000 in compensation for moral damages.

Roman Ratushny, the analyst of the UKROP Party, was one of the activists who ran away form the Berkut riot police force that night. 

The young man was hit by one of the Berkut officer in the back. He did not sought medical attention as he feared police would pursue him later.

Roman Ratushny believes that Oleksandr Popov is guilty of assistance in cracking down on the protest as he issued the decree to place a Christmas tree on the Independence Square.

“His crime lies in the fact that the panic spread throughout the country after cracking down on November 30. This led to the Revolution of Dignity, which had negative consequences for the country. My right to peaceful protest was violated. It was eliminated by force,” the activist notes.

The Berkut riot police officers injured head and right hand of activist from Lutsk Andriy Luchyk. He stood near the Independence Monument.

Oleksandr Popov denies charges, “As a rule, the victims refer to the indictment of the Prosecutor General’s Office. However, it contains no evidence. I am responsible for my actions, I did not commit crimes.”

On the contrary, the ex-mayor took many measures to prevent the conflict between the government and the protesters, Popov’s lawyer Mykola Karnaukh says. Oleksandr Popov met with the students of Kyiv and took part in the meeting of the public council at the Interior Ministry, he adds.

Judge Oksana Hardyna put off consideration of the case till September 17. The court has already questioned 16 out 84 victims.

The total amount of compensation on 44 statements of claim reaches UAH 23 million.