Avakov: Kernes personally beat Euromaidanists

Kharkov mayor Gennady Kernes, the case against which was transferred to court on Thursday, personally beaten the activists of the Euromaidan. According to the Left Coast, this was stated on the air of the 1+1 television channel, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov. "There are comprehensive evidence that Kernes personally stole, beat and organized mockery of people - Kharkov Maidanites, who were then in a very difficult situation," the minister said.

“Kernes will cling to procedural issues, but there is no doubt that the verdict should take place quickly,” continued Avakov. The minister added that the Kharkov mayor is a disabled person of group I and this cannot but affect the appointment of a specific punishment. However, he noted, first of all, not the severity of punishment is important, but the very fact of the conviction.

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine announced the sending of the case of Kernes to the court earlier on March 26. Together with the official of the accused in the case, two of his guards are held - V. Blinnik and E. Smitsky.

The mayor of Kharkov is charged with part 2 of Article 146 (illegal imprisonment or abduction of a person), part 2 of Article 127 (torture) and part 1 of Article 129 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (threat of murder). All accusations were imputed by Kernes through parts 2 and 3 of Article 27 of the Criminal Code, that is, he is considered both an organizer and a direct participant in these crimes.

On February 22, 2014, simultaneously with the overthrown President Viktor Yanukovych Kernes fled from Ukraine. Nevertheless, the next day, he returned to the country, explaining that he was serving on a business trip.

On April 28, Kernes was seriously wounded by a sniper when he rode a bicycle. It was reported that the bullet went through, hitting the lung and the liver. The official was taken to intensive care and operated on, and the next day they sent for treatment to Israel. On June 17, Kernes arrived in Kharkov in a wheelchair and immediately began work. He later accused the attempt of Avakov and the then governor of the Kharkov region Igor Balut.

Euromaidanists have been holding promotions for the resignation of Kernes all last year.