You're reading: Prosecutor General of Ukraine predicts rise in crime as result of moratorium on death penalty

KYIV, Nov 23 – The number of first degree murders will rise in Ukraine in view of a moratorium on death penalties, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Mikhail Potebenko announced at a briefing, Rosbusinessconsulting reported.

According to statistical data published by Ukrainian Financial server, the number of first degree murders remained almost at the same level in 1998 and 1999 (there were around 4530 murders for both years). However, the number of such murders went up to 5504 over the first ten months of 2000, and this may be connected with the moratorium, the report said.

Nevertheless, Potebenko stressed the necessity to comply with the rules of the European Union.

On February 22 of this year, Ukraine’s Parliament ratified Protocol 6, which stipulates that a moratorium be placed on death penalties.

In view of the moratorium, Ukraine has to establish special prisons for people who would be sentenced to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

The establishment of such prisons would require additional budget expenditures worth $12.5 million, according to the RBC report.