Ukraine's MFA takes special control over investigation into murder of basketball player in Germany
Photo: The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has taken special control over the investigation into the murder of basketball player Volodymyr Yermakov in Germany
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has taken special control of the investigation into the murder of Ukrainian basketball player Volodymyr Yermakov in Germany. It is now known that the attacker has been detained, according to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Oleh Nikolenko, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
"The Consulate General in Düsseldorf has already held talks with the head of the Essen police. The consuls emphasized the need for a speedy investigation and bringing the perpetrator to justice," Nikolenko says.
According to available information, the police have already detained the attacker. Investigative actions are underway.
"The consular office also controls the treatment of another injured Ukrainian (Artem Kozachenko - ed.). He is being provided with the necessary medical care in the Essen hospital. The condition of our citizen is stable, there are no threats to his life," he states.
Relevant Ministry's reaction
According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, 17-year-old Volodymyr Yermakov and his friend Artem Kozachenko played for the ART Giants (U-19) youth team from Düsseldorf.
"The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the entire sports family expresses condolences to the families of the injured basketball players. The Consulate General of Ukraine in Düsseldorf is in contact with the local police. The Basketball Federation of Ukraine has published a card number to help parents - 5375414113406887," the statement says.
Background
According to the agency, in previous years Yermakov was in the reserve of the national team of Ukraine and played for the children's teams Teivaz (Boyarka) and 5T.E.A.M.-DUSSH-12 (born in 2006). As a member of the Ukrainian youth national team (U-16), he played at the 2022 European Championships in Bulgaria.
Yermakov's murder
Two Ukrainian basketball players were attacked in Düsseldorf, Germany. Unknown persons with knives attacked the boys because of their nationality.
The Ministry notes that on the eve of the match on Saturday night, unknown persons attacked the Ukrainian basketball players and stabbed them. Eyewitnesses claim that the basketball players were attacked because they are Ukrainians by nationality. As a result of the attack, the boys received numerous injuries. Unfortunately, Volodymyr Yermakov's life could not be saved.
