Police investigate Russian video claiming responsibility for Ukraine's ex-MP murder
Iryna Farion (Getty Images)
Law enforcement officers are checking a video that was posted by Russian media resources about the murder of former Ukrainian MP and linguist Iryna Farion. It claims the “involvement of Russian neo-Nazis”, says the National Police spokesperson Olena Berezhna in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
“The police are analyzing the video and studying it to see if it interests the investigation,” she said.
Yesterday, the Russian Telegram channel ASTRA, which positions itself as an “independent uncensored media,” published information about the murder of Iryna Farion. It reported that Russian “national socialists” from the NS/WP (National-Socialism/White Power) movement claimed responsibility for the crime. A video was attached that allegedly shows the moment of Farion's murder. The video shows a ten-second excerpt where women's screams are heard. The footage shows cars that match the location of the murder. It is not known for certain whether the video was edited.
What is known about Farion's murder
On July 19, at about 7:30 p.m., an unknown shot linguist Iryna Farion as she was waiting for a taxi at home in Lviv. The bullet hit her in the temple. After that, Farion was hospitalized in critical condition. She underwent surgery and was transferred to intensive care (she was in a deep brain coma and on artificial lung ventilation). But doctors couldn't save the 60-year-old woman and later announced her death.
Law enforcement officials announced a special operation to detain the shooter. A criminal case has been opened under Article 115 of the Criminal Code (premeditated murder). The police have several possible versions of the murder, including those connected to her social and political activities and personal animosity. The possibility of a Russian trace is also not ruled out.
At least one suspect in the case has been put on the wanted list. He was recorded on CCTV cameras on the eve of the murder. He has an atypical gait and bright clothes. Currently, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the arrest of the attacker is being supervised personally by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and SSU chief Vasyl Maliuk.
Farion was buried on July 22 at Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv. Thousands of Lviv residents came to say goodbye to the linguist.
Read more details in the RBC-Ukraine report.
