Law enforcement officers have detained a suspect in the murder of Odesa civil society activist Demian Hanul.
This was announced by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
A weapon that was allegedly used to commit the crime was found in the apartment where the suspect was hiding.
‘I thank everyone who made efforts to identify and detain the suspected shooter. More details will follow from the police,’ the statement said.
The detention of the suspect was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
‘Dozens of investigators, operatives, and forensic experts are involved in solving this crime. All the circumstances of its commission are being established,’ the head of state said.
The President instructed the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Acting Prosecutor General to engage all necessary forces and means to establish all the facts.
The National Police of Ukraine noted that the shooter was detained in less than five hours. He was a local resident born in 1978. Police seized a weapon and a grenade from him.The police opened a criminal investigation into the murder under Article 115(p. 2)(p. 11) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (premeditated murder for hire).
The full circumstances of the crime and its motives will be established in the course of the investigation. Investigators are currently working with the detainee.
The SBU also informed that, according to available information, the man who shot at the activist was a 46-year-old deserter.
Investigative and operational measures are ongoing. Possible motives for the crime are being worked out, including versions of a contract killing and a ‘Russian trace’.
We would like to remind you that this morning in Odesa, an unknown man shot at public activist Demian Hanul in the Prymorskyy district of the city. The shooter fled the scene. The murder of the activist was confirmed by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and he took the investigation under his personal control.