A court on Jan. 19 convicted Roman Landik, a former Luhansk city council member and son of a national lawmaker, of hooliganism for beating a young woman in a restaurant last summer.
But the judge immediately freed him after suspending the sentence.
Maria Korshunova, his victim in the vicious attack last July that was caught on security tape, said she feared for her life as Landik walked out of court after receiving a three-year sentence.
But the sentence is suspended for two years, meaning he could go to jail if he breaks the law again. He is also banned from leaving the country for two years.
The case of Landik, 37, has become a target for popular anger at so-called mazhory, the children of Ukraine’s rich and powerful who often get off unpunished or get away with light sentences for serious crimes.
Landik’s assault took place in a crowded Luhansk restaurant late at night on July 4. A video caught by the restaurant’s security camera showed Landik approach the girl and spill a drink on her.
A scuffle followed, where he punched her and dragged by her hair around the restaurant.
Korshunova was then hospitalized with a concussion and bruises. Prosecutors in Luhansk opened a criminal case against Landik charging him with hooliganism.
Landik was eventually detained in the Russian town of Krasnodar and later extradited to Ukraine. He has always denied the charges.
I did not expect another decision.
– Maria Korshunova, victim of Landik’s assault
Korshunova said she was not surprised by the decision.
“I did not expect another decision,” the ex-model, 20, said.
She added that Roman Landik had repeatedly insulted her during the trial, leaving her feeling scared.
“There were no direct threats but yes, I fear about my health and life,” she told the Kyiv Post.
Korshunova said she is not going to appeal the verdict but refused to explain why.
Roman Landik made no immediate public comment following the verdict. Volodymyr Landik, a member of parliament from the pro-presidential Party of Regions, declined to comment on the court’s verdict.
But the deputy’s brother, Valentyn Landik, told journalists in Luhansk that those of them who will keep digging for information about their family members, will “get in trouble” with Volodymyr Landik, Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper reported.
Roman Landik has already paid Korshunova moral compensation of Hr 320,000. She also signed an amicable agreement retracting claims against her assailant.
Taking into account that Korshunova agreed to accept the money and signed an amicable agreement, Yevhen Zakharov, head of the Kharkiv Human Rights Group, said the court ruling was “adequate.”
Despite paying moral compensation to Korshunova, Landik has never publicly apologized for his behavior.
Kyiv Post staff writer Oksana Faryna can be reached at [email protected]
