15:00 18.06.2015

First two suspects detained in Ukrainian journalist Buzyna murder case actually fired fatal shots – interior minister

2 min read
First two suspects detained in Ukrainian journalist Buzyna murder case actually fired fatal shots – interior minister

The first two people detained on suspicion of killing prominent Ukrainian journalist Oles Buzyna acted in concert with other individuals, and more suspects will be detained as the investigation into the crime moves ahead, says Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

"The killers were not alone, and there'll be more detentions," Avakov said at a news briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

Four searches are also under way within the framework of this criminal investigation, he said.

"These two [the first two suspects detained] are the actual perpetrators, who were at the crime scene and who fired the shots," Avakov said.

There are other accomplices apart from those already detained, he said. "This is a group of people, and there's going to be more arrests within the framework of this investigation. At least one will be detained right now. A search and the detention are under way right now," he said.

Later in the day, Avakov announced the detention of the third suspect.

Avakov said he hoped that the criminal case against the suspects would be passed to courts in the near future. "There will be clarity as to the motives and details of this crime by this time, but the evidence gathered is such that it can be shown to a court right now to obtain a court ruling on this account," he said.

Asked by Interfax whether it is true that one of the suspected killers, Andriy Medvedko, is a nationalist and took part in the military operation in Donbas, Avakov said, "A killer doesn't have a nationality or qualification, he is just a killer. He is a nationalist, a handsome guy, he apparently has a mother or a father, friends, and he served in the ATO [antiterrorist operation]. But can this vindicate him?" he said.

"One of the two detainees served earlier in the Interior Ministry's special task force Harpoon," he added.

The Internet publication LB.ua reports that "Andriy Medvedko is an activist of the S14 association of nationalists, is well known in Kyiv, and is a Maidan activist. He was running for the Kyiv Council in a majority district representing [the] Svoboda [party]. He served for a not very long time in the ATO zone with the Interior Ministry's Kyiv-2 battalion at the end of last year."

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