Russian Investigators Pledge to Hold Ukraine’s Avakov, Kolomoyskyi Responsible for Crimes

RIA Novosti

ST. PETERSBURG, July 24 (RIA Novosti) – Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and oligarch Ihor Kolomoyskyi will bear responsibility for their crimes, Russian Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin said Thursday.

“Avakov and Kolomoyskyi aren’t going anywhere. Sooner or later they will be held accountable for their criminal responsibility according to the norms of international law,” Bastrykin said.

As events in Ukraine continue to unravel, Russia is launching criminal cases against both individuals. The Russian Investigative Committee identified 2,700 victims in the criminal cases in the Ukrainian crisis, accusing Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Dnipropetrovsk Region Governor Ihor Kolomoyskyi of organizing unlawful massacres.

The testimonies came shortly after Russia issued arrest warrants for Avakov and Kolomoyskyi on charges of organizing murders and abductions, using banned means and methods of warfare, and preventing journalists from entering in the country.

Russian courts sentenced both Avakov and Kolomoyskyi in absentia in early July with the decision driven by the threat the two pose to regional security.