Kyiv's Obolonsky district court that considers the case of the former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych in absentia, adjourned the session until 4 December, judge Vladyslav Devyatko said on Thursday, 26 October. The court gave time to Yanukovych's new state-appointed lawyer, Ihor Lyashenko, to familiarise with the case materials.
Lyashenko replaced former lawyer Maksym Herasko, whom the court dismissed from the process, accusing him of incompetence.
On 17 August, the state defence attorney Vitaliy Meshechek pulled off as Yanukovych's lawyer.
On 6 July, Yanukovych told Russian media that he would no longer participate in the in-absentia high treason trial and recalled his lawyers. He said that the verdict in the case was predetermined and he would be sentenced to life imprisonment.