Farion's murder shakes Ukraine: what are the investigators' versions, what is known about the attacker and whether Russia is involved

On the evening of July 19, the murder of linguist and public figure Iryna Farion took place in Lviv, which shook the whole of Ukraine. The shooter approached his victim and shot her in the head, using a Makarov pistol.

Doctors fought for Farion's life for several hours, but the wound proved fatal. Farion will be buried on Monday, July 22 at 14:00 at Lychakiv Cemetery, near the grave of Volodymyr Ivasiuk. OBOZ.UA found out what versions of the murder the investigation has, what is known about the killer, and how politicians reacted to Farion's death.

What versions does the investigation have?

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that law enforcement agencies are considering several versions of the murder of former MP Iryna Farion. Among them are the public and political activities of the linguist, as well as personal dislike for her. At the same time, law enforcement officers do not rule out that the murder could have been a contract killing and was planned by the terrorist country Russia.

Operatives and investigative teams from Kyiv, led by the deputy head of the National Police and the deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine, are working to solve the crime.

On the morning of July 20, Zelenskyy said that he had heard new reports from the Interior Minister and the head of the SBU on the investigation into the murder of Iryna Farion. The President noted that all available surveillance cameras were being used, witnesses were being interviewed, and the territory of several districts was being examined. All versions are being investigated, including the one leading to Russia.

Deputy Prosecutor General Anton Voitenko took part in a meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs on the investigation of Farion's murder. During the meeting, law enforcement officers discussed the results of priority measures aimed at identifying and detaining the attacker.

The Prosecutor General's Office noted that versions are being worked out, including a premeditated murder related to the victim's professional activities and active civil position.

A set of investigative actions and operational and search activities is being carried out, including yard and house-to-house visits to obtain information relevant to the pre-trial investigation. Video surveillance cameras are being installed and measures are being taken to obtain video recordings that will be relevant to the investigation (at the scene, near the scene, and on the offender's approach and departure routes). In addition, several necessary forensic examinations have also been ordered.

What is known about the killer

Law enforcement officers continue to search for the attacker. According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, residents of the house near where the murder took place allegedly saw a suspicious man for two weeks. He also emphasized that law enforcement officers already have some information about Farion's murder and the perpetrator of the crime.

According to Lviv media, Farion was shot by a man aged 20-25. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter repeatedly followed the woman near the entrance.

Local residents say that they have repeatedly seen a suspicious man in a long sweater, dark glasses, and a hat near the entrance to Farion's apartment building. They are now trying to identify him.

The investigation confirmed that he had indeed been near the victim's house for several days. As of now, the police believe that the man in the hat and the attacker are the same person. At the same time, the Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized that due to the power outage, the work of video surveillance cameras was interrupted, which complicates the search for the killer.

According to preliminary data, the killer used a Makarov pistol. One shell casing from a Makarov pistol was found at the crime scene.

The Suspilne media outlet found out what was happening near Farion's house on the eve of the murder. The victim's neighbors said that an unknown person had been watching Farion for several weeks before the murder.

"He was here for two weeks and just looked at her. He was here every day since the week before last. Every day at 10 o'clock he sat on a bench here. Neighbors would come up to him and ask: "How are you sitting here, don't you want to eat or drink?" He would say that he had lunch. They asked him: "Where are you from?" He said: "From Ternopil". I did not talk to him. What do I have to do with him?" Farion's neighbor said.

Possible involvement of the Russian Federation in Farion's murder

The leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine does not rule out that the murder of the linguist was planned by order of the terrorist country Russia. In addition, political analyst Oleh Sahakian said that Farion's murder could be part of a large Russian special operation to destabilize the situation in Ukraine.

According to the political scientist, the Russians may now intensify provocations because the level of trust in the government in Ukraine has significantly eroded.

Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov says that Farion's murder is primarily beneficial to Russia. He reminded that Russian media wrote about her almost daily and mentioned her continuously.

"The Ukrainian authorities are obliged to immediately find the killer and expose the crime. This is a test to see whether the state controls the situation at all, whether law enforcement is capable, and whether Russian agents can commit terrorist attacks in the deep rear with impunity," the journalist said.

Reaction of politicians and government officials

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to Farion's murder. The head of state said that the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk were promptly reporting to him on the search for the attacker. The President emphasized that all the necessary forces of the National Police of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine are involved in establishing the circumstances of this crime.

"Obviously, any violence deserves only condemnation, and everyone who is guilty of this attack must be held fully accountable," Zelenskyy added.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klytschko said that violence should not become a method of dealing with opponents and those who think differently.

"The murder of Iryna Farion is a provocation and a challenge. To the law enforcement system, democracy, and stability in the country. It should be investigated promptly and openly to the public," Klytschko wrote.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets also reacted to the death of Iryna Farion. He called for finding the linguist's killer and bringing him to justice.

The third president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, said that those who planned and carried out such a dastardly attack must be identified and brought to justice. In addition, he wished the Farion family the strength to withstand this heavy and unfair blow of fate.

"Eternal memory and kingdom of heaven, dear Ms. Farion! May God now grant you eternal peace and the memory of the difficult path of devotion to the ideas of the Ukrainian nation. She was sincere in her love for Ukraine and defended it as she saw fit," Yushchenko said in a statement.

Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language Taras Kremin said that during her lifetime Iryna Farion became a true legend in the open, decisive, courageous struggle against the real enemies of Ukraine.

Earlier it was reported that Ukrainian showbiz stars reacted to the death of linguist and former MP Iryna Farion, who had been the victim of an assassination attempt the day before. Celebrities did not remain indifferent to the tragedy and condemned the violence, expressing their condolences to the victim's family.

As a reminder, Iryna Farion was known for her controversial statements and was regularly involved in scandals. Over the past two years, she had a quarrel with the Ukrainian military over the language issue, which led to criminal proceedings being opened against her, and even lost her job at Lviv Polytechnic.

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