On March 19, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv decided to continue the 24 -hour house arrest of the mayor of Irpen Alexander Markushin for another month - until April 23. He is suspected of illegally crossing the border in August 2022, but protection insists that the case is politically motivated.
The court decision and position of the parties
The court rejected the lawyers' arguments about the lack of risks and significant restrictions on the suspect's rights. Lawyer Pavel Goncharenko stated that the protection team was preparing an appeal against a court decision.
“Each defense argument was detailed with reference to the Judicial Practice of the European Court of Human Rights and National Courts. We have proven the lack of risks, but the court still made a decision that we consider unfair , ”Goncharenko said.
Alexander Markushin himself called the court's decision biased and stated that he was not going to hide from the investigation.
On March 20, the court should also consider the extension or abolition of his removal from the post of mayor of Irpen.
What is the essence of the case
The mayor of Irpen is suspected of illegally crossing a person across the state border, although the lawyers emphasize that it is actually a matter of his or her independent traveling abroad in August 2022.
According to the defense, the investigation first considered the accusation of the illegal crossing of the border, but because of the expiration of the limitation period (the maximum punishment - 15 days of arrest) re -qualified the case to a more serious - "illegal transfer of persons" .
According to lawyers, Markushin left Ukraine legally:
- to see his minor son, who remained orphan after his mother's death;
- for the purchase of drones for the Armed Forces in agreement of the Vyshgorod district council and the Kiev OVA.
Earlier, the court sent him into custody with the possibility of making 30 million UAH of bail, but later the Court of Appeal of Kiev changed the measure of restraint to a 24 -hour house arrest.
The accusations and arguments of the parties
Prosecutors insist that Markushin left for volunteer activity, but for personal motives. They also believe that the suspect may hide from the investigation or influence witnesses.
Protection, on the contrary, denies these risks, arguing that the mayor of Irpen appears to all court sessions and enforces the court decision.
“If I wanted to escape, I would not stay in Irpen during the Russian invasion and would not organize the defense of the city. I did not hide from the enemy, I will not be hidden from the DBR , ”Marcushin said.
His lawyers also point out that the investigation is based on the materials of the regional police, which previously closed this proceeding due to the lack of a crime.
The appeal to continue a preventive measure should take place in the near future.
