Olha Bohomolets denies charges in breaking law when creating Radomysl Castle
Kyiv, July 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Famous dermatologist and public activist Olha Bohomolets has said she is frustrated with the attacks on the Radomysl Castle historical and cultural complex, which she established.
"For two years I've being trying to do something good, but people instead of understanding and supporting me, clip my wings, make provocations, and discredit my honor and dignity. I'm not going to stand it," she said at the press conference hosted by Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.
She said that several years ago she bought from private owners the nearly ruined premises of the mill in Radomyshl (Zhytomyr region), which according to her was a trash dump at the time.
"We did the almost impossible in this country: in five years, from a destroyed mill, from a city dump, which I absolutely by chance bought in Radomyshl, we created a completely unique complex," she said.
According to the honored doctor, the creation of the domestic icon museum functions in the complex was blessed by Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Volodymyr. Over the last two years over 40,000 people have visited the castle, she said.
"I had a dream to make this museum a brand identity of Ukraine. But for the last two years we have been living in constant tension, which doesn't give us the opportunity to develop properly. [There have been] intrigues, lawsuits, raider attacks," the doctor said.
Senior partner of Paritet law firm Ihor Kyryliuk said one of the residents of Radomyshl, who calls himself a human rights defender, has accused Bohomolets of the seizure of a riverbank area, preventing access to the river. A national TV channel aired an item featuring this person, who said he had been beaten by unknown people.
Bohomolets said that gates in the property's fence had been made for local residents, and they had free access to the river. The land of the complex was under a lease, without the right to build.
"The injured parties have an absolutely clear target, and I can say what it is: the injured person is openly demanding money for him to leave the castle in peace. This is a practice [being applied to] not just one facility. This is a simple local raider, who is demanding money," she said.
"The museum will exist, the question is whether it will be in Radomyshl. Today I'm not sure. For this moment I have got a blessings to build it there, but now I will possibly ask for blessings to take it away," she added.
The founder of the castle also called on the media not to issue false reports about the matter.