Editor’s note: A major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russian-backed militants in the eastern Donbas region got underway on Dec. 29. At the same time, civil society groups in Ukraine issued a statement that was critical of the decision to release, as part of the swap, five former Berkut police officers charged with killing EuroMaidan activists in 2014. The five men were transported to eastern Ukraine and are understood to have been swapped for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russian forces.
“In this situation, there is no single obviously correct human choice. We understand that this decision by the authorities, at the request of the Kremlin, undermines the values of the rule of law, justice and dignity and can divide society by sowing hatred between different groups of Ukrainians,” the statement read.
“ When society faces this difficult choice, justice must be protected by an independent arbitrator – the court and the prosecutor’s office. Unfortunately, neither the court nor the prosecutor’s office were able to fulfill their constitutional duty in the case of the executions of Heavenly Hundred Heroes,” it continued.
The Kyiv Court of Appeal on Dec. 28 released from custody five former police officers of the now disbanded Berkut unit who had been charged with the alleged murder of protesters during the 2013-2014 EuroMaidan Revolution.
About 100 demonstrators were killed during the revolution, which ousted ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, and Berkut officers are accused of the worst violence.
The release appears to be part of a planned prisoner exchange with Russia and its proxies in the eastern Donbas region. That swap may take place between Kyiv and Russia-backed militants on Dec. 29.
The entire Dec. 29 statement, signed by 17 different NGOs and civil society groups in Ukraine, can be read here.
Read also: Court releases former Berkut officers charged with EuroMaidan killings
