Espreso. Global

Ex-Deputy Prosecutor General: Iryna Farion's murder should be investigated as terrorist act

Alona Myshakova
28 July, 2024 Sunday
19:30

Mykola Holomsha, former 1st Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine, believes that the investigation into the murder of former MP, linguist, and Lviv Polytechnic professor Iryna Farion should be conducted not under the article on premeditated murder, but as a terrorist act

client/title.list_title

He stated this on the Great Lviv Speaks program.

"As for the classification of the actions, I would argue differently. I would classify this case under Article 258, paragraph 3, 'terrorist act,' and this is unequivocal," Holomsha said.

The former investigator emphasized that the issue is about intimidation, which is the purpose of a terrorist attack.

"This is intimidation. Intimidation of Ukrainians who defend their identity and language. Iryna Farion was a linguist who defended the language on all TV channels and in various instances. She was a public figure and a politician. This situation fits exactly into Article 258, paragraph 3," Mykola Holomsha explained.

In contrast, part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine refers to a crime against the life of an individual.

"This is a crime against an individual, while Article 258 addresses crimes against public safety. This crime is much more complex and serious, with a corresponding penalty of 10 to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment," Holomsha summarized.

Mykola Holomsha has investigated several high-profile crimes, including those committed against Ukrainian politicians and public figures. These cases include the death of Viacheslav Chornovil, the abduction and murder of Georgiy Gongadze.

Farion's murder

  • On July 19, at about 19:30, an unknown assailant shot Iryna Farion in Lviv. The Lviv regional police confirmed this and reported that a special police operation was underway to detain him.

  • Iryna Farion was taken to St. Panteleimon Hospital of the First Territorial Medical Association of Lviv. The woman was in critical condition, late in the evening of July 19, doctors reported that she was in a brain coma and on artificial lung ventilation. Doctors fought for her life to the last.

  • On Espreso, Lviv City Council member Andirian Hutnyk provided details of the attempted assassination of Iryna Farion. He said that an unknown young man of 20-25 years old "was wearing some kind of hat". He fired a shot at her head with a firearm, the bullet hit her temple, the shot was from a gun without a silencer.

  • Subsequently, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that the attack on Iryna Farion was classified as an attempted murder. The Prosecutor General's Office noted that a pre-trial investigation had been launched.

  • President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reacted to the attempted murder of Iryna Farion. He said that all the necessary forces of the National Police of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine are involved to establish the circumstances of this crime. "Obviously, any violence deserves only condemnation and everyone who is guilty of this attack must be held fully accountable," Zelenskyy wrote.

  • Former MP, linguist and professor at Lviv Polytechnic Iryna Farion died in hospital in Lviv. The shot to her head on the evening of 19 July was fatal.



 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
12 February
22:00
Russia launches record number of strikes on Donetsk region since war started
21:45
Exclusive
Russian army does not hesitate to drop bombs on its citizens: Ukrainian military on Kursk sector
21:33
Exclusive
How Ukraine shoots down ballistic missiles may remain classified
21:21
F-16 with JASSM-ER, illustrative photo
First F-16 photo during combat mission in Ukraine emerges online — what does it reveal?
21:10
Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania: Trump himself will decide to stand by Ukraine
21:00
Zelenskyy and Trump hold talks
20:50
Russia blocks IAEA experts' rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Ukraine's MFA
20:40
Zelenskyy: Work on Trump’s plan to end Ukraine war likely to start in February
20:26
Ukraine wins 16 medals at 2025 Invictus Games
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia is forced to retreat in some areas of Pokrovsk sector
19:51
UK pledges £150 million in military aid to Ukraine
19:36
“I prayed for Trump's protection at rally before assassination attempt” — Jason Sharron, Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania
19:25
NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic, says U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth
19:10
Exclusive
Russia training surviving North Korean soldiers to reinforce troops in Kursk region
18:49
NATO must ensure negotiation results that Putin can’t overturn in six months or year – Rutte
18:11
600,000 Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories: over 40,000 still enrolled in Ukrainian schools
18:00
Interview
Ukrainian Catholic Church priest in Pennsylvania on beauty of Ukrainian traditions and why Trump can be helpful for Ukraine
17:50
Supporting Ukraine is top foreign policy priority — Sweden’s top diplomat
17:32
'Putin will lose if he attacks NATO': Rutte on Russian threat in Europe
17:15
Exclusive
"Much hinges on Kellogg's meeting with Zelenskyy's team" regarding Trump's peace plan — Ukrainian MP
16:51
NATO Secretary General Rutte announces new military aid for Ukraine
16:37
White House power struggle: Trump ally Vitkoff’s Moscow move sparks clash over Ukraine policy
16:15
China assists Russian drone production with smuggled Western parts — Estonian intel
15:53
Zelenskyy says assassination attempts on him led to deaths in President's Office
15:42
Exclusive
European allies to announce new military aid after Ramstein meeting — Espreso correspondent
15:30
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
February 5-12 live war map: Ukrainian counterattacks yield results 
15:14
Soldier stabbed at Kharkiv recruitment center as Ukraine faces surge in attacks on military personnel
14:55
Updated
Ramstein meeting kicks off in Brussels: Key issues on the agenda
14:54
Russian soldiers seen attempting assault on Ukraine positions on crutches: video
14:32
Ukraine's Security Service uncovers FSB mole within its top ranks
14:15
Leaked video exposes Russian PSYOP: commander admits bombing civilians in Sudzha
13:55
Exclusive
Russia struggles with innovation, lacks time in weapons development — military expert
13:39
Exclusive
Lithium extraction in Ukraine with U.S. partnership may take 5–10 years, expert says
13:14
Wizz Air ready to resume flights with Ukraine within six weeks after ceasefire
12:54
Review
Trump, Zelenskyy, and rare earth resources: what Kyiv offers Washington
12:37
Affiliate Material
Lost husband at Azovstal, son couldn’t recognize her after captivity: Story of Alina Meleshko-Haburych from Azov regiment
12:17
Ukrainian hackers hit main contractor of Russian Gazprom – media
11:45
Review
Ukrainian forces counterattack, pushing Russian troops back in Pokrovsk direction. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:14
OPINION
Putin mocks Trump’s peace efforts
10:50
Russia shifts significant forces toward Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia
More news