Ukrainian political scientist about Kuchma’s case: mutual concessions
When Leonid Kuchma’s criminal case was closed, the very fact of starting it was announced illegal.
Kiev Pechersk Court cancelled the decision to start a criminal case against ex-President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma on December 14.
He was accused of power abuse which resulted in the death of journalist Georgiy Gongadze.
The journalist’s widow, Myroslava Gongadze, disagrees with the decision. Her representative Valentina Telichenko says:
“I am preparing an appeal. To tell you the truth, I have no illusions about it being satisfied. I have more hopes about the Court of Appeal though. Kiev Court is considering Timoshenko’s appeal about her second arrest now. This court has already taken a few clearly illegal decisions”.
Sending an appeal to the European Court is also one of the alternatives.
Ukrainian political scientist Victor Nebozhenko also thinks that the court’s decision to close Kuchma’s case is questionable. He thinks that the judge referred to the decision of the Constitutional Court without thinking as she had no reason to release Kuchma. The former Ukrainian President probably used his own instruments.
Victor Nebozhenko: “It was just mutual concessions. Kuchma did something good, made somebody’s financial dreams come true”.
It may also mean that the authorities may start a new case against Kuchma at any moment. People have already noticed discrepancies and the dissatisfaction is increasing.
Victor Nebozhenko: “Kuchma’s case has caused a response because other people could think: if they can do it to the President, what about us? However, the problem was the legal difference. PM Timoshenko gets imprisoned for 7 years without any real proof while the President gets off lightly”.
Gongadze’s case will not be closed, thinks the political scientist. Georgiy Gongadze was killed in 2000. The first hearing took place in 2005. The victims were the journalist, the Minister of Internal Affairs, two missing police generals, dozens of colonels. A few people were imprisoned. It would be strange if they closed the case.
