14:33 04.10.2016

Former Berkut policeman in court admits guilt and testifies against former colleagues

2 min read
Former Berkut policeman in court admits guilt and testifies against former colleagues

Former Berkut policeman from Kharkiv Viktor Shapovalov in court has admitted his guilt and asked for forgiveness, naming former colleagues who received live ammunition instead of rubber bullets (during violent demonstrations in Kyiv in later 2013 and early 2014), Channel 5 TV has reported.

Shapovalov in court said he is sorry for what happened. He said he was speaking for himself, not for his colleagues.

The former Berkut policeman, who has been held in custody for 18 months, partially acknowledged his guilt and named former colleagues, who received live ammunition instead of rubber bullets.

"I would like to note the following: pump-action weapons were given to policemen in my unit: to Serhiy Bondarenko, Rak, Mischenko, Voitenko, Bilov. This was the unit that possessed pump-action rifles. Batskykh, Biletsky, Kobets, Matsiura, Pavlenko, Robko, Shevchenko, also received them. The unit with Fort rifles was commanded by Lukash," he said.

"Those with Fort rifles, to the front, he [Lukash] gave the command," the former Berkut policeman said.

Shapovalov also said he saw how Berkut police at Kriposnty Lane in Kyiv beat people with clubs, but he did not intervene. Shapovalov said he also did not intervene when riot police fired their weapons at civilians.

"Shapovalov, who was a commander of a Berkut riot police unit, is accused of exceeding his authority. Berkut policemen from Kharkiv, we think, inflicted wounds of varying severity on more than 110 individuals [during the protests]," stated prosecutor Olekandr Kovalchuk said.

Shapovalov in detail testified how riot police from various regions of Ukraine identified themselves during protests on Independence Square in Kyiv during February of 2014. According to him, stickers of various colors were attached to their helmets.

Lawyers say this information provides an opportunity to identify those involved in wounding and killing protesters during the so-called Revolution of Dignity.

"This is important because, in addition to other distinguishing features, it is practically impossible to identify Berkut riot police, who wore helmets," defense lawyer Oleksandr Musiyenko said.

The prosecutor said that Shapovalov's testimony is very important and his testimony against other riot policemen may help prove their guilt, especially that of commander of Kharkiv company of Berkut Vladyslav Lukash, who is also accused of exceeding his authority.

Victims of excessive use of force by police are scheduled to testify in Kyiv at the Podilsky district court on October 18.

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