President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, proposed creating a joint investigation team to determine the circumstances of the death of Italian photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli in eastern Ukraine.
The meeting was held as part of Zelensky’s participation in the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, the presidential website said.
“The question of Vitaliy Markiv, a citizen of Ukraine convicted in Italy, was raised. The head of state noted that he was awaiting a comprehensive and objective review of this case, and proposed the creation of a joint investigation team to clarify the circumstances of the death of Italian journalist Andrea Rocchelli,” the statement said.
As reported, on July 12, the Italian court sentenced national guardsman Markiv to 24 years in prison, finding him guilty of complicity in the premeditated murder of Italian photojournalist Rocchelli in 2014. The court sentenced Markiv to 24 years’ imprisonment, though the prosecutor asked for 17 years.
On the same day, Ukrainian Interior Minister Avakov said that the court ruling would be appealed.
