Court softens preventive measure for Kokhanovska & other "Lavra hooligans"

Viktoriya Kokhanovska in the Pechersk Court. Photo: a video screenshot of the Telegram channel "Viktoriya Kokhanovska. Women's power of Ukraine"

On 17 November 2023, the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv softened the preventive measure for human rights defender Viktoriya Kokhanovska and three other defenders of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, who are accused of hooliganism, reports Kokhanovska after the court hearing.

"Today the preventive measures were changed,” she said. “Three of us have electronic bracelets removed. There was a softening (measure): night house arrest without wearing electronic means [of control]. For Zabroda – personal commitment."

Viktoriya also reported that the court returned the indictment to the Prosecutor's Office for the second time "due to inconsistencies".

Kokhanouska thanked everyone who prayed for the defendants and also noted the objectivity of Judge Oleh Bilotserkivets.

As reported, on 19 April 2023, the investigation department of the Pechersky Police Directorate started criminal proceedings under part 3 of article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (hooliganism) in connection with the fact that Viktoriya Kokhanovska and other believers opened building No. 39 in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which was illegally sealed by the staff of the Reserve and law enforcers.

On the same day, police officers detained Kokhanovska by force near the Lavra. On 21 April, she was sent under 24-hour house arrest and was also informed about a suspicion under Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code (incitement of religious enmity and hatred).

On 15 August, the flat of the human rights defender was searched by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and a day later the SBU informed her of a new suspicion under Part 2 of Article 436-2 (denial of aggression of the Russian Federation).

On 4 October, the court changed the preventive measure for Viktoriya and the other three "Lavra hooligans" from 24-hour house arrest to night arrest, obliging them to continue wearing electronic bracelets.

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