Crimes against journalists during Euromaidan remain unsolved – NUJU

Hundreds of journalists were injured during events of Euromaidan and not a singe one of those crimes were solved.

As reported by the press service of the NUJU, this was indicated by the participants of the press conference of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU).

As indicated by Serhiy Tomilenko, the Executive Chairman of the NUJU, according to the summary data of monitoring conducted by the Union,  271native and foreign journalists have been attacked from November 2013 to February 2014. 9 arrests and detentions of media professionals, 14 attacks on editorial staff, 31 threats of physical violence to media professionals were recorded.

In addition, in February 2014, two journalists were killed in Kyiv. Vyacheslav Veremiy, a journalist of Vesti newspaper, died from the hands of “titushky”, Ihor Kostenko, a student and journalist, died on the Maidan.

“We are stating that there are crimes, but no punishment. And demand security and justice for conduction of professional duties of journalists. At least in cases, where perpetrators are identified, we are trying to achieve some kind of punishment”, – said Tomilenko.

Lawyer Victoria Deyneka, who is in charge of the Veremiy’s murder case, said that one of the suspects in the murder – Yuri Krysin can “boast” with too loyal attitude from the judicial and law enforcement systems towards himself.

At first, he was charged with complicity in the murder then the case was reclassified into a case of thuggery and preventive measure of detainment in SIZO (pre-trial detention centre) was changed for house arrest and subsequently he was released under personal recognizance.

“As for me, this is completely molded situation and I believe that it was done deliberately to close the process. Case is small and court could hear it at once, but court is drawing out”, – noted Deyneka.

“Court hearings are held once in six to eight weeks. But during this time Krysin managed to commit two other crimes and is still not punished. And still court refuses to change the preventive measure, they say, he comes to the court hearing and that’s enough. As for me, this is outrageous, and still this shows that his patrons are helping him”, – said the lawyer.