Cherkasy Court sentenced policeman accused of beating a journalist

Sosnivskiy court of Cherkasy sentenced Petro Palyvoda, member of the riot-police, the decision made on Dec.12, reports "Procherk" (Dash).

Petro Palyvoda accused of beating Ihor Efimov, the journalist of the "Vechirni Cherkasy" newspaper, during the protest in Cherkasy on Feb.20, 2014. 

The newspaper reminds that at the time of an accident, Petro Palyvoda was passing a training as a deputy battalion commander. The prosecution asked the court to sentence the policeman for three years of freedom restriction. Instead, defender of the accused side sure that there is no corpus delicti in the actions of his client, and reports that suspicions are false.

Journalist Igor Yefimov said that he is outraged by the court's decision, but not surprised.

"It turns out that  prosecutors were involved in the investigation for already three years and, in fact, the time has been wasted. But on the other hand, I am not surprised by the results, because even then, at the first session of the court, it was clear that investigation is not carried out well. Of course, I am outraged by the situation that has developed. I spent much of my time for it. I went to all the prosecutors' calls, carried identification, and the fact of justice, as such, is none ", - said Ihor Efimov.
Serhiy Tomilenko the NUJU First Secretary, the Head of Cherkasy regional organization of the Union, said that the whole professional community also outraged by this decision of the court. According to him, this decision will continue to endanger journalists with impunity. He believes that publicly they can attract more attention to the outcome of this case.

Journalist Ihor Efimov intends to appeal the decision.

As IMI reported, on Feb.20, 2014, in Cherkasy, "Berkut" riot-police assault people at the checkpoint next to dam. Ihor Efimov, the photographer of the newspaper "Vechirni Cherkasy", was beaten by the riot-police and ended with bleeding head. The journalist was wearing the "Press" vest, badge and a camera. On that day he performed editorial task, and members of the riot-police prevented his work at the dam.

February 5, 2015, the Prosecutor of Cherkasy region sent to the court indictment for negligence of one of the leaders of the battalion patrol during protests in Cherkasy on Feb.20, 2014.

Photo - Ihor Efimov after the accident