Ukrainian Authorities Fail To Ensure Justice Over Crimes In Odessa Despite Pledges - HRW

Sumaira FH Published January 18, 2019 | 04:51 AM

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th January, 2019) Ukrainian authorities have still failed to address and ensure justice has been served for crimes committed in Odessa in 2014, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a press release.

"Justice for conflict-related abuses and crimes committed during the 2014 Maidan protests and mass disturbances in Odesa remained unaddressed several years later, despite numerous pledges from Ukrainian authorities to ensure justice," the release said on Thursday.

Law enforcement did not preserve evidence just after the crimes and failed to prevent suspects from leaving the country, the report noted.

On May 2, 2014 mass clashes between pro-Maidan and anti-Maidan groups led to the death of 48 people and more than 200 were injured. Appeal hearings for the acquittal of 19 anti-Maidan activists who were accused for offenses related to that event began in April 2018 but are not completed yet.

HRW mentioned that charges against former Berkut officer Ivan Bubenchuk were dropped and he remains under investigation.