In Zhytomyr, the court has been considering the Korostyshiv gang for half a year, whose participants have been accused of a number of serious crimes, including the murder of ATO participant, rape of students, abduction of people, torture, knock out of money and redemption. However, the defendants do not admit their guilt, and their lawyers are actively delaying the process, which, according to the prosecutor's office, is a deliberate delay in the case.
The case was transferred to court in July 2024, but due to regular absence of lawyers, the meeting was postponed nine times. It was not only on February 17 that the Korolevsky District Court of Zhytomyr finally was able to move to the essence of the case and to begin interrogation of witnesses and victims.
The Prosecutor's Office spokesman notes that the protection deliberately delay the process, trying to avoid the stage of study of evidence, including the interrogation of witnesses and the study of the results of numerous expertise. Lawyers try to question the legality of the detention of the suspects and the affiliation of investigative actions, including searches.
However, according to prosecutors, such tactics are predictable, since the SBU and the National Police have gathered enough evidence to ensure that a fair sentence was adopted on the basis of evidence. The lawyers even sought for the removal from the indictment of certain terms, which, according to them, is not Ukrainian, as well as requested permits for communicating the defendants with the priest.
The court will only be transferred to the study of the evidence after all the witnesses and victims have been heard, and in general there are 22. Society and victims hope that despite the legal manipulation of defense, the court will make a fair decision.
The Korostyshiv gang gained a sad glory thanks to the terror she committed in Zhytomyr region, intimidating the locals with her crimes. Only ten gang participants are suspected of numerous serious crimes, including murder, rape, abduction, torture, extortion and redemption.
