Former Ukrainian MP Chornovol Suspected of Killing a Man in Arson During Euromaidan

10 April 2020 16:17

Tetiana Chornovol is a former MP at People's Front political party.htv_prod_adminadske

Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation have served former journalist and MP Tetiana Chornovol with charges of killing a man in a fire at the Party of Regions office in 2014.

This was reported by the press service of the SBI.

"[Chornovol] is suspected of intentionally unlawfully causing the death of another person committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy in a manner that is life-threatening to many people," the message reads.

The SBI stated that Chornovol, who was an active participant of the Euromaidan, on February 18, 2014, was managing the activities of a group of persons and directly participated in the arson of a building in the center of Kyiv, where the Party of Regions office was located.

A 65-year-old employee of the Party of Regions office, Volodymyr Zakharov, was killed in the fire at the time. He did not leave the building but went upstairs to the office, where he died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

SBI investigators came to search at the suspect's place of residence on April 10, 2020. The Bureau claims to have removed items of "probative value for investigation", items showing signs of cold and firearms, as well as ammunition. Chornovol herself said that clothing she wore on February 18, 2014 and an award weapon had been seized.

The former MP admits to being involved in the arson, but not in the killing.

“Did I set fire to the Party of Regions office? Yes... Was I involved in the murder? No, my hands are not blood-stained,” she insists, at the same time assuring that she called on the Maidan activists not to kill opponents and she was never an “executioner” herself.

Chornovol explained that she and her husband tried to divert the attention of the security forces in order to save Maidan demonstrators and to "pull over" the so-called “titushki” (paid thugs – ed.) who were killing Maidan activists in the Mariyinskyi Park.

"These are political repressions. This case [was initiated in retaliation] for the Maidan. Against me as a Maidan activist. They want to change Maidan’s history," the former journalist says commenting on the accusations against her.

If proven guilty, Chornovol faces imprisonment of 10 to 15 years or life imprisonment.