Lutsenko trial: “Victim” doesn’t see himself as such and asks to be left alone

At the beginning of Wednesday’s court hearing in the second prosecution of former Minister of the Interior and opposition leader, Yury Lutsenko, presiding Judge Medushevska read out a telegram from the officially aggrieved party in the case. As reported, Lutsenko is accused of having organized the unlawful surveillance on Valentin Davydenko, driver of the former Deputy Head of the SBU [Security Service] Volodymyr Satsyuk. Yushchenko had been taken ill in 2004 after dining with SBU people at the dacha of the SBU Deputy Head.

In the telegram the same Valentin Davydenko states that he does not consider himself to be a victim in this case and asks the court to not disturb him any more.

Yury Lutsenko stated that the judge was not complying with Article 277 of the Criminal Procedure Code by continuing the court hearing.

The other defendant in the case, O. Pavlyenkov then asked the court to read Davydenko’s statement before beginning to question him again.

The Judge refused to read out his lawyer’s application at which point Lutsenko again declared his protest at the actions of Judge Medushevska. 

“According to the law you need to give us Davydenko, not a telegram. Do not disgrace the laws, the coat of arms and flag you are sitting under”.

Lutsenko’s lawyer, Fomin stressed that you can’t examine a case in the absence of the victim.”

The judge ignored all the objections and moved on to question Pavlyenkov.  The latter however stated that he was only prepared to answer any questions after receiving a detailed explanation from Davydenko of what he meant by his telegram.

The judge also rejected applications to remove the Prosecutor and to call Yanukovych as witness.

She did however partially allow one application, giving Lutsenko and his lawyers time to prepare additional material for the court examination.  The next hearing is scheduled for 27 July.

From the report on the Narodna Samooborona website 

see also:
• Lutsenko demands medical examination outside prison
• Lutsenko loses civil suit against prison administration
• Ban on Lutsenko’s correspondence a flagrant violation of the law
• Lutsenko’s life could be in danger in prison colony
• U.S. Government Statement Regarding the Verdict in the Yuriy Lutsenko Trial
• Lutsenko sentenced to another 2 years restriction of liberty
• Still no aggrieved party, but prosecution demands 2.5 years for Lutsenko
• The Criminal Prosecution of Lutsenko and Investigative Operations
• Lutsenko trial: hearing postponed due to lack of officially aggrieved party
• Prosecutor General mellows latest charge against Yury Lutsenko
• Lutsenko: trial: Prosecution asks for more time to prepare “new evidence”
• Defendant in Lutsenko Trial: I’m here for refusing to testify against Lutsenko
• Lutsenko case: new hearing, same infringements
• Head of internal Lutsenko investigation: Lutsenko stupidly set up
• EU clear response over ECHR judgement on Lutsenko case
• UK welcomes ECHR Judgement on Yury Lutsenko
• European Court: Lutsenko was arbitrarily arrested and detained
• Lutsenko trial: forced concession on calling witnesses
• ECHR Chamber Judgement in Lutsenko Case due on 3 July