On May 25, the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv chose to former Minister of Defense of Ukraine Pavlo Lebedev a preventive measure in the form of detention in criminal proceedings on the facts of “organizing a number of grave and especially grave violent crimes, including premeditated murders” in Kyiv on Feb. 18-20, 2014.
According to the report of the press service of the Prosecutor Generals’ Office of Ukraine (PGO), the circumstances of the organization by former president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych of the excess of power, official authority by law enforcement officials and former officials to prevent the holding of meetings and rallies are being investigated in criminal proceedings. It is noted that these actions led to intentional killings and attempted murders of participants in mass protests in central Kyiv and a terrorist act.
“This court decision gives the prosecution the right to initiate an extradition procedure against the former Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Prosecutors will also apply to the court for permission to conduct a special pretrial investigation (in absentia),” the PGO added.
From Dec. 24, 2012 to Feb. 27, 2014, Pavlo Lebedev served as the Minister of Defense of Ukraine.
