The trial of Yanukovych turned into a brawl
At the next, 62nd hearing in the case of “Yanukovych’s treason,” a clash occurred between the police and lawyers due to the fact that the court tried to introduce a new “free” defender into the process, imposed by prosecutors.
This sparked a protest from Vitaliy Serdyuk, the lawyer hired by Yanukovych. According to him, the newly appointed lawyer was supposed to help the prosecutor's office and "surrender the client's interests," reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Free” defender Yuri Ryabovol arrived at the meeting, but Serdyuk tried to prevent him from entering the meeting room. As a result, the police finally pushed Yuri Ryabovol into the hall, using force against Vitaly Serdyuk.
Yanukovych's trial degenerated into a brawl, according to Politnavigator. Ukrainian and Russian news on Rutube.
“I am a lawyer, why are you attacking me? They attack lawyers and tear up their papers! We will do everything to ensure that you are brought to justice!” - he shouted.
On the eve of the hearing, the court received a statement from Viktor Yanukovych that he was refusing Yuri Ryabovol because he did not trust him, and his interests were already being protected by other defenders.
Therefore, at the beginning of the hearing, when the judge announced Yuri Ryabovol’s participation in the trial as a defense lawyer, Vitaly Serdyuk objected to him:
“Ryabovol is not a defender and there is no need to introduce him into this process now!” he said.
The judge called to order.
“We saw the order that was now done on your criminal order! We have seen violence against lawyers, an attempt to introduce a lawyer who must now surrender the interests of the client. Is this order? This is a crime you are committing!” – Serdyuk answered.
The prosecutor said that Yanukovych has no right to refuse the services of a public defender, and that Vitaly Serdyuk is disrupting the trial. He suggested leaving Viktor Yanukovych’s statement of no confidence in Yuri Ryabovol without consideration.
The defense stated that Viktor Yanukovych has the right to choose defense lawyers, and the participation of a state-appointed lawyer is excluded. In addition, the lawyer's documents signed by Viktor Yanukovych were damaged and almost destroyed when trying to introduce a new lawyer into the courtroom.
“The law allows only five lawyers by contract; the law prohibits hiring a free lawyer by appointment if there are defenders. I understand why this is being done - the defense fundamentally stands in the interests of the client, and such a position is now very unfavorable for the prosecutor’s office, unfavorable for the court, because it does not allow a verdict to be passed within the time period established by the authorities. The defense, which works in the interests of the client, tries to question witnesses approved by the court, tries to publish information and evidence, in particular, the conclusions of linguistic experts in the USA, Great Britain, Sweden and Ukraine, tries to publish evidence of Georgian snipers who testify against Pashinsky, Parubiy , who, on their orders, ensured the execution of our citizens on the Maidan. The court is trying to bury this truth, which the defense has collected and which is in the court materials. The court is trying to prevent a number of witnesses from participating in the case.
Precisely because we are inconvenient lawyers, we will never betray the oath and will defend the interests of the client, - a criminal decision was made to introduce a lawyer into the case who today, by prior agreement, must ensure the hearing of debates without the participation of defense witnesses, to give the court the opportunity to open the doors to the room meeting to sign the verdict against Viktor Yanukovych, which was obviously agreed upon with the authorities,” said Vitaly Serdyuk.
As a result, after verbal skirmishes, Yuriy Ryabovol himself announced that he was refusing to participate in the Yanukovych case, asking to be removed from the case. The court granted Ryabovol's request.
Yanukovych's trial degenerated into a brawl.