A lawyer for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra provided details about the attack on him in the courtroom

Attorney Valery Kushnir, who represents the monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, reported that unlawful actions were committed against him inside the building of the Northern Economic Court of Appeals in Kyiv. The human rights advocate has already filed an official report with the police regarding threats and the use of physical force.

The incident occurred during a hearing on a case concerning the territory of the Upper Lavra. According to the attorney, the conflict began after he moved to recuse the panel of judges for obstructing his access to the case files. During a recess, as Kushnir was leaving the courtroom, he was attacked by right-wing extremists. The lawyer claims he was shoved in the back, accompanied by insults and threats from activist David Pshenichny, as well as another unidentified individual who was concealing his face.

As a result of the attack, the human rights defender’s health deteriorated, requiring an ambulance to be called and the provision of medical care to be documented in the relevant records. Valery Kushnir emphasized that the offense was committed in the presence of police officers and court security personnel. The lawyer hopes that criminal proceedings will be initiated and those responsible will be held accountable, based on the provisions of the law on the protection of lawyers’ professional activities. The next court hearing, at which the motion to recuse will be considered, is scheduled for October 20.