President Poroshenko is calling for the prompt and impartial investigation into the murder of the mayor of Kremenchuk, Oleh Babayev, and the attempted assassination of the mayor of Lviv, Adriy Sadovyi, reports the president’s press service, July 27.
“I expect the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General to conduct an investigation into these two horrific crimes as soon as possible. I demand that all resources be concentrated on determining the perpetrators and the organizers,” Poroshenko said during a meeting with the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Vitaliy Yarema, and the Vice President of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vitaliy Yalovenko.
Poroshenko called these crimes manifestations of terrorist activity designed to intimidate the civilian population in peaceful regions of the country. “Law enforcement must not permit the spread of similar occurrences in peaceful cities, towns, villages. We must join efforts to protect the peace and tranquility of Ukrainians,” he said.
The President stated that he will monitor the investigation closely. “I have requested to be personally informed of the progress of the investigation,” he said.
“Evil must be punished. The terrorists have issued a challenge to the judicial system of Ukraine. But we have the necessary resources to respond,” he concluded.
Vitaliy Yarema said that employees of the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are involved in the investigation and are coordinating the work of investigative teams on the ground. “Today an active investigation is taking place, with effective search measures,” he said.
He also said that the murder of the mayor of Kremenchuk will be prosecuted under Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and the attempted assassination of the mayor of Lviv under Article 258.
Yalovenko reported that special operational investigative groups have been created in Lviv, which will be working together with employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, the police, and members of the prosecutor’s office.
Translation: Anna Mostovych
