Sentences against killers of Gongadze upheld

The Supreme Court has upheld the sentences handed down to the former police officers who carried out the killing of Georgy Gongadze. 

Valentina Telychenko, lawyer representing Myroslava Gongadze, the journalist’s widow, told reporters that the Court had rejected the cassation appeal of the defendants and confirmed the sentence passed by the Kyiv Court of Appeal.  Valery Protasov was sentenced to 13 years, while Oleksandr Popovych and Valery Kostenko received 12-year terms 

Ms Telychenko added that the Supreme Court also rejected Protasov’s request to retain his rank of “police colonel” and relevant ministerial awards. He had claimed that he was a veteran of the Internal Affairs structures, however Ms Telychenko points out that such status is awarded only to those whose behaviour has been unblemished.

As stated repeatedly there is absolutely no progress in bringing those who ordered the killing to justice.

Based on information at www.pravda.com.ua