The Verkhovna Rada introduces trials in absentia and confiscation of property of those unwanted by the authorities
Kyiv, August 14 (Navigator, Mikhail Ryabov) – The Verkhovna Rada adopted in the first reading a bill that will allow the trial in absentia of citizens accused of crimes against the Ukrainian statehood, hiding abroad, and the confiscation of their property.
Justice Minister Pavel Petrenko said that the law, in particular, will make it possible to prosecute Viktor Yanukovych’s entourage, which “finances terrorists.”
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“The courts can pass sentences and confiscate money... hundreds of billions of hryvnias to the state budget,” the official assured.
According to him, trial in absentia “fully meets European standards” and is practiced in Germany, Denmark, France, etc.
Speaker Alexander Turchynov tried to persuade deputies to include the bill on the agenda three times; the first two attempts were unsuccessful. “You walk around the hall instead of voting! Mykola, vote!” - Turchinov shouted.
It was not possible to immediately pass the law as a whole - the deputies decided that the document should be edited and considered in the second reading.
As Navigator reported, ex-Prosecutor General of Ukraine Svyatoslav Piskun believes that the law can hit ordinary citizens.
“At the moment, our judicial system is in such a state that if we allow a person to be tried in absentia, then arbitrariness will begin, when the person will not even know that he has already been convicted, and his property, apartment or factory has already been confiscated and sold to whom necessary,” says Piskun.
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