
On August 25, it became known that People’s Deputy Artem Dmytruk is accused of a number of criminal offenses, including attacks on representatives of law enforcement agencies and a military serviceman. This accusation appeared after he left the territory of Ukraine and went to Moldova.
According to the notification of the General Prosecutor’s Office, Dmytrouk is suspected of attempting to steal a firearm, inflicting bodily injuries of medium severity and gross violation of public order. These events took place in Odesa in 2023, where, acting in cooperation with other persons, he attacked a law enforcement officer while performing his official duties. During this incident, Dmytruk intentionally injured a law enforcement officer and tried to seize his weapon. The actions of the suspect were classified according to the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 1 of Art. 28, Part 2 of Art. 345 – intentional infliction by a group of persons of minor injuries to a law enforcement officer;
- Part 2 of Art. 15, Part 1 of Art. 28, Part 1 of Art. 262 – attempted theft of firearms.
Also, in another case that happened in Kyiv, during the conflict, the suspect hit a serviceman several times, including on the head. According to the conclusion of the examination, these actions caused physical injuries of medium severity. This case was classified under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- Part 1 of Art. 122 – intentional infliction of physical injuries of medium severity;
- Part 1 of Art. 296 – gross violation of public order with particular audacity.
As a result of these accusations, Dmytrouk was summoned to the investigative State Bureau of Investigations for investigation. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 29 and 30, 2024.
In addition, the Prosecutor General’s Office has launched an investigation into the possible organization of Dmytruk’s illegal crossing of the state border. Although the name of the People’s Deputy was not specified in the message, there are reasons to believe that it is about him.
This information confirmed spokeswoman of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Nadiya Maksymets, in a comment for Channel 24. She noted that an investigation is currently underway into the circumstances of Dmytruk crossing the border and the persons who could have helped him in this. Searches were conducted of civilians and employees of the State Border Service, who probably could have helped the deputy in illegally crossing the border.
Also on August 25, the DBR is on its website reported:
“DBR employees under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor General’s Office initiated criminal proceedings on the fact of the illegal crossing of the border by a sitting People’s Deputy, who was informed today of the suspicion of attacks on citizens.
Currently, an investigative and operative group of the SBI is already working in Odesa, which also includes employees of the Bureau’s Central Office. Urgent investigative actions are underway to find out how the deputy crossed the border and who helped him in this. Searches have already taken place on civilians and employees of the state border service, who probably helped the deputy in illegally crossing the border.
The issue of reporting suspicions is currently being resolved. The proceedings were initiated under Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (facilitating the illegal transportation of persons across the state border).”
Dmytrouk’s reaction to the charges
Artem Dmytruk reacted to the report of suspicion in his Telegram channels, saying that this is a “hunt for those who disagree with the regime”. He also added that no one handed him any suspicions, and all the cases related to him are fictitious.
“The Prosecutor General’s Office informed me about the suspicion in connection with the attacks on a law enforcement officer and a military officer. Actually, nothing new. The authorities continue their hunt for those who disagree with the regime. And yes, by the way, no one handed me any suspicions. And all these cases – totally falsified and made up story” Dmytruk wrote.