Two explosions have occurred in a court in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The perpetrator, terror suspect Ihor Hoemenyuk, is said to have blown himself up after a failed escape attempt. According to Ukrainian media, after his escape, Humenyuk wanted to join a Ukrainian volunteer battalion, affiliated with the far-right party Svoboda.
At the end of the afternoon, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported an “exceptional situation” at a Kyiv court. Ihor Hoemenyuk, suspect in a dragging terror case, is said to have detonated an improvised explosive device during a hearing.
AFP – Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko speaks to the press after the explosions at the court in Kyiv.
Humenyuk is suspected of throwing a grenade at the Ukrainian National Guard at a protest in 2015. Four National Guardsmen were killed as a result. At the time, far-right parties protested against a constitutional amendment that, in their view, made too many concessions to Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Humenyuk has always maintained his innocence.
Almost eight years later, the case against Hoemenyuk is still ongoing. Last October he asked the court to release him so that he could report to the front. Humenyuk’s lawyer said that with his military experience, which he gained from 2014 as a member of the far-right Sitch battalion, his client is “ready to protect the Motherland.” Hoemenyuk is said to have become depressed during his years in custody.
“The borders are closed, I’m not going to flee,” said Hoemenyuk himself. “I’ve been thinking a lot over the past seven years.” He had taken to court three representatives of the volunteer battalion of the far-right party Svoboda, with whom he had wanted to go to the front. The judge did not accede to his request.
Reuters – A special police unit is preparing to storm the courtroom.
A hearing in Hoemenyuk’s case took place this afternoon in the Kyiv court. In an attempt to escape, the suspect detonated an improvised explosive device, Minister Klymenko confirmed on Ukrainian television. When his escape attempt failed, Humenyuk locked himself in the courtroom. When a special unit of the Ukrainian police stormed the hall, Humenyuk detonated a second explosive device. He was killed and two police officers were injured. Research must show how it was possible that Hoemenyuk had access to explosives in court, says Klymenko.
Dan de Vries
2023-07-05 20:51:28
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