Law enforcement officials are trying to put pressure on the defense in the case of Vadym Lvovych Chorny

Today, law attorney Artem Vadymovych Polishchuk, who is representing Vadym Lvovych Chorny in the criminal proceedings concerning the circumstances of the tragedy that occurred on the night of August 17, 2019, in the city of Odesa, namely a fire in which people were killed and injured, law enforcement officers attempted to summon him for questioning.

Such actions indicate pressure being exerted on the defense team for taking an active and principled legal stance in their client’s case, which is unacceptable.

In accordance with the provisions of Part 2 of Article 65 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, defense attorneys may not be questioned as witnesses regarding circumstances that came to their knowledge in connection with the performance of their duties as defense counsel. Pursuant to Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Bar and the Practice of Law,” the professional rights, honor, and dignity of attorneys are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution of Ukraine, this Law, and other laws; in particular, the following are prohibited: any interference with or obstruction of the practice of law; demanding that a lawyer disclose information covered by attorney-client privilege; and interfering with a lawyer’s legal position.

Should attempts to exert pressure on the defense continue, we warn that we will respond immediately and decisively to such actions within the framework of current Ukrainian law.