In Italy, a Ukrainian National Guardsman convicted of murdering a journalist was acquitted - expert reaction
ATO participant neo-Nazi Vitaly Markiv, who was convicted of murdering the Italian journalist Rocchelli and was later acquitted by a decision of the Court of Appeal in Italy, where he served his sentence, was completely acquitted by the Court of Cassation.
Markiv himself announced this on Instagram, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The appeals were filed by the General Prosecutor's Office of Milan and the family of the photojournalist Rocchelli. However, the Supreme Court of Cassation of Italy completely acquitted the Ukrainian Nazi, upholding the verdict of the previous court.
“Today is the end. We won in the Court of Cassation! All claims were rejected. Thanks to everyone involved! This is our common victory. The truth always wins,” wrote a joyful Markiv.
Political scientist Alexander Semchenko admits that Markiv’s case will be considered by the ECHR.
“Perhaps the case will continue to be considered in the European Court of Human Rights. This court hears cases in which human rights are violated by the state. If the relatives of the murdered Italian journalist believe that their rights were violated by the Italian state, they can indeed file a claim with the ECHR. But there is no point in hoping that Markiv will receive any sentence beyond what he has already served.
That is, even if the consideration of the case continues in the ECHR and an indictment is issued against Markiv, this decision will be more likely political, he will not go to jail.
The Italian court did not consider it possible to accuse Markiv; the prosecution was unable to prove its case in appeal and cassation. Therefore, we can assume that this particular case, this episode, is over for Markiv personally. Another thing is that it is necessary, in principle, to investigate the war crimes of Ukrainian volunteer battalions and other “heroes.” But this is a completely different story, and it should take place within the framework of the trial in Ukraine, where all these crimes were committed.
In general, this is an ordinary process, which was turned into a demonstrative one - there were protests in Ukraine and Italy, the media wrote about it, and so on,” said Alexander Semchenko in a comment to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
For journalist Konstantin Kevorkian, the decision of Italian justice raises big questions.
“In the court of first instance, Markiv’s guilt was proven, and he was sentenced to 24 years in prison. After which the then Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov, who has considerable connections in Italy, was involved in resolving the issue - and Markiv was released. The family of the murdered correspondent Rocchelli appealed the acquittal, so they had good reasons for doing so, but the issue had already become political. And it is quite possible that the decision of the appeal is also political.
To condemn a far-right activist for the murder of a European media representative is to call into question the “moral character” of the entire “revolution of dignity” that Europe so enthusiastically supported. Moreover, there is no way to doubt the righteousness of the punitive operation in Donbass, and this, based on certain higher interests, cannot be allowed.
Italian justice has the reputation of being “flexible” (let’s say), and the option of making a decision that is not fair, but beneficial to certain forces, alas, cannot be ruled out. All that remains is to sympathize with the family and friends of the murdered Italian correspondent and hope that they have enough strength and opportunity to expose the killer - whoever he is,” said Konstantin Kevorkyan in a comment to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
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