Breaking news
In order to preserve evidence of dishonest behavior of the authorities, we publish the full text of the briefing, as well as all the images from the presentation of December 12, 2019, organized by Minister Avakov with the participation of the President and Prosecutor General, where the detention of “perpetrators” in the murder of Pavel Sheremet was reported.
In particular, the transcript shows that Minister Avakov says that the Central Investigation National Police Headquarters detained the suspects. Meanwhile the time of detention of Andriy Antonenko will be later indicated in the protocol as 23:05 and the detention issue will be considered by the investigating judge only at 17:49:55 and ruled at 18:40. The Minister never denominated the defendants other than the suspects during the briefing. However, the next day in Savik Shuster’s TV show he will already point to a perpetrator on the video footage from the crime scene naming him “Antonenko” as well as accusing him of possessing an explosive that, in fact, never existed.
During his speech, General Koval will call the citizen aka “Natsyk” as organizer of the offense of blowing up electric towers. He will also refer to all three suspects (Mr. Antonenko, Ms. Dugar and Ms. Kuzmenko) as known to us from previous offenses.
In his speech, Prosecutor General Ryaboshapka stated (literally):
It seems to me that in the state very few people believed that such a crime could be solved. And that’s actually very good that those colleagues who have just reported to you, did believe it. And they succeeded. I would say again that this is just the first steps in solving the crime, since only those persons who have planned and actually committed the murder have been identified. In fact, the country has to hear the answer to the question of who was the initiator or organizer of this terrible crime. I hope that the country will get the answer to this question too.
In the end, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi spoke. In particular, he said:
And today I want to thank everyone, Mr. Minister, thank you… personally thank you, guys, all investigators, all prosecutors, Mr. Prosecutor General, thank you for a really powerful work. Alleged killers were detained today. A lot, I’m sure you all you saw it yourself, a lot of answers, thank God, we have received together today. But there is another question – who is the hirer. I’m sure this question will surely be answered next time.
A fragment of this speech was published on the official website of the President.
Thus, the Minister who organized the show went beyond what is permissible only because of the content of the submitted material (without careless remarks though), the clumsy young general called everyone criminals, the Prosecutor General announced that the crime was solved, and those who planned and actually committed murder – detained, the President called the suspects alleged killers, but thanked for their detention and for received answers. Their involvement was of no doubt, not questionable except the necessity to find a “hirer”.
Please read the full text of the transcript below or download it as a document (PDF).
- Well-known journalist Pavlo Sheremet died of multiple injuries a few minutes after an improvised explosive device blasted out under the driver’s seat of his car at 7:43 am on July 20, 2016.
- Earlier in the day, between 2:15 and 3:00 a.m., CCTV cameras captured two individuals, probably a man and a woman, walking along the streets near the car park. Initially, they moved along the common route, pretending to be unacquainted. At 2:38 a.m., the female approached the car, leaned over, and manipulated under the driver’s seat for approximately 30-40 seconds. Later, those two left the crime scene, and a few minutes after the alledged planting of explosives, they met closer and moved, no longer hiding their acquaintance. The facial features of these individuals were not clearly recorded. They hereinafter are referred to as “perpetrators”.
- At a joint briefing held by representatives of the police and the Prosecutor General’s Office on August 4, 2016, it was publicly stated that the man in the records had a so-called “Spanish beard” and a height of 168-175 cm, a woman was about 5 cm shorter.
- Later, on August 25, 2016 and September 1, 2016, independent forensic experts submitted written reports on the height of the perpetrators. According to their findings, the height of the male figure was found to be 170 cm and 172 cm, respectively. Both experts claimed that the measurement error does not exceed 3%, taking into account differences in posture, parameters of shoes and hats, the constant movement of the individuals.
- Forensic examination from 09.12.2016 established that the explosive device was homemade composed from the elements of an explosive device of industrial manufacture and had in its design cylindrical striking elements (shrapnel) and a sleeve (cuff) of the ignition socket of the anti-personnel mine MON-50 [Soviet version of M-18 Claymore], as well as standard electric detonator EDP-R. The type of explosive has not been identified. Diphenylamine, a stabilizer of nitrocellulose powders, was found far and wide throughout the crime scene. RDX was found on the remains of the single object — a fragment of an electric detonator. It is due to the presence of RDX particles, by which EDP-r detonators are equipped with, it was detected that this object is really the remnants of the electric detonator. No more RDX, nor any other explosives or products of explosives was found.
- The investigation has always been the subject of special attention of the public and the authorities. The police repeatedly held briefings to report on the progress of the investigation.
To compose the text, we used recordings from the YouTube channels of the TV channel “PRIYAMYI” ,
Radio Svoboda, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for unknown reasons cut out the speech of Prosecutor General Ryaboshapka from the video). In particular, thanks to the recording of the TV channel “PRIYAMYI” it became possible to link the transcript to the absolute values of Kyiv time (UTC + 2).
Transcript of the briefing of the Ministry of Internal Affairs 12.12.2019
Introductory speech of the organizer (17:05)
Introductory remarks by Minister Avakov (17:06 – 17:10)
Presentation performed by General Koval (17:10 – 18:03)
on the murder on July 20, 2016 (17:10-17:11)
concerning the huge amount of efforts (17:11-17:12)
on the facts clarified in 2016 and CCTV footage of the perpetrators (17:12-17:15)
on the probable versions of the motive and their rejection (17:15-17:16)
on the investigation of 35 explosions in Ukraine (17:16-17:16)
on the detonation of power towers and Mr. Antonenko’s involvement (17:16-17:18)
on Mr. Antonenko’s connection with Ms. Kuzmenko and the “Electrician” (17:18-17:19)
on the murder attempt where Grishchenko is suspected (17:19-17:21)
on the connection between Gryshchenko and other participants (17:21-17:24)
back to Gryshchenko now regarding the late “Pistol” wiretapping (17:24-17:34)
wiretapping of Yana Dugar’s private conversations about the sapper’s bag (17:34-17:38)
wiretapping of Yulia Kuzmenko’s private conversations – “afraid of searches” (17:38-17:40)
wiretapping of the “Electrician” – suicidal moods (17:40-17:41)
alibi of Vlad Gryshchenko (17:41-17:44)
identification of the suspects Mr. Antonenko and Ms. Kuzmenko by gait (17:44-17:46)
silent telephones at night (17:46-17:48)
prints on Mr. Antonenko’s clothes and his lameness (17:48-17:48)
Bermuda Triangle (17:48-17:50)
involvement of Gryshchenko (17:50-17:52)
Ms. Dugar’s identification (17:52-17:53)
discrediting the Gryshchenko couple (17:53-17:56)
discrediting Yulia Kuzmenko (17:56-18:02)
closing statement (18:02-18:03)
Speech by the Chief of the National Police Igor Klymenko (18:03 – 18:05)
Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka: the perpetrators have been identified (18:05 – 18:08)
President of Ukraine: the killers were detained, who is the hirer (18:08 – 18:10)
Answers to D. Khilyuk’s question about motive. There was no destabilization (18:10 – 18:12)
Answers to I.Burdyga’s questions about Russia’s involvement (18:12 – 18:13)
Transcript of the Briefing of the Ministry of Internal Affairs 12.12.2019
Introductory speech of the organizer (17:05)
Artem Shevchenko [17:05]: Good evening, dear friends. Let’s get started. Thank you for coming to the Ministry of Internal Affairs promptly. The Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov will speak first, then – in turn – the heads of the National Police: the head of the National Police Igor Klimenko, the first deputy head of the National Police Chief of the Criminal Police Eugene Koval, then other heads of law enforcement bodies will speak, and, finally, a brief address from the head of state. We will have 3 or 4 questions at the end of this briefing. We can begin.
Introductory remarks by Minister Avakov (17:06 – 17:10)
Arsen Avakov [17:06]: Good afternoon, Mr. President, Mr. Prosecutor General. Thank you for visiting us. Today, the Central Investigation National Police Headquarters detained suspects in the case of the the murder of Pavlo Sheremet. and with the approval of the Prosecutor General handed them over the bills of suspicion of the murder of the prominent journalist. Currently active investigation is going on against the defendants. But we believe that the case is of great public importance, and therefore we are holding an urgent briefing about the investigation. Everything you see and hear is just a part of a large package of material and information, which is at the disposal of investigators. You will learn about the details of the homicide, about it’s probable versions, as well as those linked to similar crimes and including those which lead the investigation to the alleged perpetrators There is an investigation body’s permit for the disclosure of this particular volume of materials and facts as provided by Article 222 of the Criminal Procedural Code. It is these materials and facts that give the National Police investigators reasonable grounds to suspect the involvement of certain persons in the crime.
Arsen Avakov [17:08] This is a very difficult case. The investigation body has examined thousands of operational materials, including video and audio recordings and has conducted more than 50 forensic examinations. To make the logic of the process clear, we have prepared an interactive presentation for you; a report in which the First Deputy Chairman of National Police, General Koval, the head of the investigative operational group, the head of the criminal police unit, will provide all the information allowed for disclosure by the investigators. The information you will receive, unfortunately, is not only sensational, but also shocking. The Ukrainian society has the right and obligation to clearly understand where the border line lies between where patriotism turns into the betrayal of one’s country, and into a crime. Therefore, this is a difficult conversation. Difficult but necessary. Two more comments. Firstly, I articulate that it is about declaring our suspicions about certain citizens who, according to the investigation, are involved in the case., According to the letter of the law, we have no right I mean… we have no right to talk about solid judgment. We say that these citizens are suspects, whose right is justiciable, and we will uphold their prosecution. But the people about to be mentioned, by their own choice are rather public figures, or at least their nicknames have become known to the public. Therefore we received the permission of the investigation body to operate their actual names in particular. And the last. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, the audio presentations will contain obscene vocabulary. In this case, it does not disturb the public order, but, unfortunately, that is the evidence. I beg parents to decide whether is is worth to let their children to remain whilst these recordings are shown on TV . So please start your presentation, a report on the progress of the investigation into the murder of Pavel Sheremet. General Koval reports.
Presentation performed by General Koval (17:10 – 18:03)
on the murder on July 20, 2016 (17:10-17:11)
Eugene Koval [17:10]: Thank you for giving me the floor. Please note that the briefing was prepared as an emergency procedure, so there may be some technical failures or disruptions in the text.
Dear Mr President, dear Prosecutor General, Minister, Head of the National Police and journalists. Let us begin with some background to the case.
[17:11]
As you know, the murder took place on July 20, 2016 at 7:44 a.m. at the cross of Bogdan Khmelnitsky street and Ivan Franko street in Kiev, by vehicle explosion. The blast killed a well-known journalist Pavel Sheremet, a citizen of the Russian Federation. This moment was captured by a camera located on a McDonald’s, you see the video. During the inspection of the scene, experts seized a large number of objects that have been carefully studied by relevant forensic experts, including international and US FBI experts.
concerning the huge amount of efforts (17:11-17:12)
The investigation body of the National Police has done a great job:
More than 800 documents and information, including mobile operators, have been examined. More than 3,700 people interrogated. There were 47 forensic examinations scheduled and conducted, including complex tests and examinations 577 houses and 4,300 apartments were investigated, and 80 million telephone connections and 44 thousand subscribers examined. Video surveillance from 221 CCTV were examined, the examination of recording times on some cameras ranged from between five and two months. imagine: Analysis of one video sometimes took a few days. To improve the quality of the research a group of officers separately analyzed only videos. Appropriate analytical tables were composed, studied and conclusions were made.
on the facts clarified in 2016 and CCTV footage of the perpetrators (17:12-17:15)
On the basis of mentioned video analysis the probable scheme of actions of the alleged offenders was composed. The investigation drew attention to a female, who 5 days before the crime on the morning of July 15, and then again on the morning on July 18, was recorded by CCTV on the Lypynski street, not far from the crime scene, by which she passes by. On one footage she is seen to take a photo of the CCTV location on her mobile phone; you see it on the screen.
[17:13] Such behaviour, to the investigative and operational group seemed unusual. Reviewing the videos seized from CCTV cameras of early morning July 20 the itinerary to the crime scene was discovered and two strangers, one male and one female, were recorded; the woman carrying a plastic bag in her hands. They were moving along Ivan Franko street heading towards the location of the victim’s car. In the Franko street those two, who had previously walked side by side, separated and then kept walking on different sides of the street. The female, who can now be seen on the screen, approaches Pavlo Sheremet’s car, (this is the route that you see now, and the video that was recorded. Here Pavlo Sheremet’s car is denoted by a separate circle.
[17:14] The female, approaches Pavlo Sheremet’s car, looks around, takes something out of the package, probably an explosive device and plants it under the car. The two leave the crime scene at a brisk pace, walking along Lypynski street. There the surveillance cameras also capture these individuals. They meet up again and leave the scene together, as we can see. In the following video,a park surveillance camera captures a man with a print on his outer clothing. We paid special attention to this, later it will become clear why.
on the probable versions of the motive and their rejection (17:15-17:16)
So, the investigation suggested several versions.
The first version: (17:15)
an error was made in the object of crime. This was suggested given the fact that the exploded car belonged to, and was used by Alena Prytula, the head of the site “Ukrainian Pravda”[pravda.com.ua], not by Pavlo Sheremet himself, The second version: domestic and interpersonal conflict situations. The third version: the professional activities of the murdered journalist in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. The fourth version: this is the destabilization of the socio-political situation in the country via, I emphasize, the murder of prominent person. After a thorough investigation three of those four versions have eliminated The investigation body is continuing to work on the third version- the destabilization of the socio-political situation in the country via the murder of a prominent person.
on the investigation of 35 explosions in Ukraine (17:16-17:16)
So, working to confirm this version, the investigative body conducted extensive, rigorous work on the study of all explosions which occurred in Ukrainian territory, (I emphasize all), before and after the murder of Pavlo Sheremet
[17:16] There were 35 occurences of similar crimes, special attention of the investigation group being attracted to 2 of them. We now will talk about these two in detail. You can see the locations, shown in red on the map
The first is the explosion of the Power Tower in the Kherson region, in the autumn of 2015. The second – a failed assassination attempt against businessman Ch. in the summer of 2018 in Ivano-Frankivsk in the town of Kosiv. I stress, these were completely separate incidents that had nothing to do with this incident. The investigative team considered each as isolated incidents and studied each of them separately.
on the detonation of power towers and Mr. Antonenko’s involvement (17:16-17:18)
Now more,
on November 21, 2015 in the Kherson region near the settlements of Chaplynka and Nove, two explosions, which damaged power lines towers, occurred. One of the organizers of these explosions was a citizen nicknamed “Natsyk”. On the photographs from the scene a stanger wearing clothes with a specific image on the back drew attention of the investigators. You can see the picture at the bottom. We see the destroyed tower and an individual standing next to it with a specific print designated on his back. For us, it became a certain litmus paper to which we have paid attention. After examining a wide range individuals familiar with “Natsyk”, the police became curious about the citizen Antonenko.
[17:17] It was discovered that Antonenko resides in the central area of the city of Kiev. in a place next to the site of the explosion of Pavlo Sheremet’s car. [17:18] In social network photos, Antonenko often wears clothes with specific logos and images. These are similar to the pictures on the clothes worn by the alleged perpetrator, Sheremet’s killer, in the video we showed you.
on Mr. Antonenko’s connection with Ms. Kuzmenko and “Electrician” (17:18-17:19)
Later we found his extra close connections with two other people of interest to the investigation:
They are Yulia Kuzmenko and citizen K., aka “Electrician”. Recall, that the information we provide is given only according to the remit given to us by the investigator. These individuals had friends in common and attended separate meetings about aid for the military. It is significant that the citizen K. possesses certain skills at undercover work and many times applied them to avoid police efforts to collect information about him. To avoid, I stress. Whilst this investigation continued the processing of similar crimes also continued at the same time focus on this version remains, and we will return to it after reporting on the investigation into other crimes, in order to display the logic of certain actions of the investigative group.
on the murder attempt where Grishchenko is suspected (17:19-17:21)
[17:19] The second crime the investigation body became curious about
was an unsuccessful attempt to kill Mr.Ch., in Kosiv in the summer of 2018. According to forensic opinions, an improvised explosive device was used there, which was almost identical to the one which was used to blow up the car with Sheremet. I stress, almost identical. The entire structure of the homemade explosives, in particular, the method of attachment with neodymium magnets, was absolutely similar. Pay attention to the screen, on the left we see the pieces, the remnants of a neodymium magnet, which were found at the scene of Sheremet’s car explosion. In the center are real photos of the explosive device that was found in the failed murder attempt of the businessman in Kosiv, On the right, original images of neodymium magnets, which were used to attach the bomb to the metal body of the car. [17:20] However, when fixing the explosive the perpetrator did not take into account the fact that the outer side of a Range Rover car bottom is protected by a special plastic protection. This meant that the device was not fastened firmly to the base of the car, and subsequently fell off under its own weight. It’s presence could not have been missed by the investigative body. A car used during the planting of the undetonated explosive under the car of a citizen Ch. was detected as well as the person who rented this car and had driven up the planter to the crime scene. So citizen V. aka “Pistol” came into view of the investigation, he now appeared on the screen.
Those suspected of attempting to commit this crime were identified as spouses Vladislav Gryshchenko, aka “Bucha” and Inna Gryshchenko aka “Puma”.[17:21] It was the citizen V., aka “Pistol” who drove the Gryshchenkos from Kiev to Kosiv. DNA traces of these individuals were detected on the explosive device. Vladislav Gryshchenko was the first to be detained by the police. I want to note certain factors that prompted us to subsequent logical actions.
on the connection between Gryshchenko and other participants (17:21-17:24)
The investigative team recorded that during the search and detention of Gryshchenko, his personal car was picked up by a stranger, who turned out to be citizen K., the “Electrician”. I first mentioned him while describing the first group of persons indicated in the explosions in the power tower sabotage in Kherson. For members of the investigation group, it became clear that between these groups that had been investigated separately; being dealt with independently [17:22] by different investigative and operational groups, there existed common links. It became clear that they were not separate groups, but they had something in common. Our attention was focused on them and we began to study carefully all the circumstances and all the modes of being and the historical interactions of this group. Furthermore, at the court hearing on a preventive measure and in order to support the spouses, their friends and relatives arrived, people who had previously appeared in police purview. They posted a joint photo on social networks. One of these photos; shown on this screen, became of great interest. Note that the photo captures the citizen Kuzmenko, whom I pointed out in the first group, and who is cohabitant of citizen K. the “Electrician”; and another person was a woman, surname Dugar. More will be discussed about her later.
[17:23] We became curious about citizen Dugar, the “Electrician”, Kuzmenko Yulia and Andriy Antonenko, already known to us from the previous offences, namely sabotage of power towers. It was here that we first became aware of them and subsequently investigated them and their movements. Active police field work began regarding the group members. The decision was made to summon citizen V. aka “Pistol, for interrogation by subpoena, as a witness in the Sheremet case. I want to add that we realized that this group has…commonality with the crime in question and other crimes as well. Members of the group visited each other during the court proceedings and have demonstrated a common communication. This lead the investigation team to pay special interest and to step up undercover study across the whole group.
back again to Gryshchenko now regarding the late “Pistol” wiretapping (17:24-17:34)
As soon as the subpoena to citizen V. aka “Pistol” was handed to him, he immediately informed citizen Inna Gryshchenko about this by phone. [17:24] She at the time detained by the investigation body yet. This is part of their conversation:
Eugene Koval: I note this conversation shows that the members of the conversation do not accept that the topic of Sheremet’s murder as extraneous or irrelevant for themselves. A call for the interrogation of one of the members of the group is perceived as a definite threat. This is confirmed by the subsequent telephone conversations of Inna Gryshchenko. [17:25] She lively shares the fact of the citizen’s V. the Pistol’s call for interrogation in the Sheremet case among her closest friends. So, please…
[17:25]
Eugene Koval [17:27]: This is a pause now, more audio will follow…
Let me note, you heard it, no comment is necessary, about the conversation content, and how the interlocutors are worried. The individuals are discouraged due to the disappearance of the “Pistol” (“Pistol” is his pseudo) the day after he received a subpoena for questioning by the police. Tape, please…
Eugene Koval: I’ll explain now, yes.
Eugene Koval: please audio, pause…
Eugene Koval: Gryshchenko now, she is calling her friends and looking for Ivan, they are confused about his disappearance as she calls her husband, who is now in jail. This call is quickly facilitated, – that is our police trick – , providing them with the opportunity to talk, Now the audio you listened again from the beginning, please.
[17:30] Eugen Koval: You hear how emotional Gryshchenko’s reaction is to the fact that Ivan the Pistol is out of phone connection with them, they see it as an obvious threat to them. At the same time, I note and I think you did notice it yourself, there is no question what Vanya has to do with Sheremet and, to be clear, there is no any questions or surprise expressed. To both the police operatives and investigators such a reaction was strange, requiring further investigation. The next day, after a call for interrogation to the police, the citizen V. aka Pistol commits suicide, shooting himself in the head with a hunting rifle. Then there is a general revival of talks amongst this group. These include certain conversations with her husband Vladyslav where Inna Gryshchenko regards the fact of Pistolas death as favorable for them in the context of the further developments.[17:31] In the recording, she said that his suicide…
Eugen Koval: Let me quote the last sentence: ‘Now we’ll twist it as we want’
On the record Gryshchenko says that his suicide is ‘a cool thing’ for them, you can hear it yourself and how it is commented that he could not bear… aka Pistol could not bear Sheremet. So we move on and I want to say that it was grievous for me to listen to the recordings , because the family did really heavily suffer the death of a citizen V. nicknamed Pistol However, in the words of his closest friends, his circle, those whom he helped to commit a crime and was an accomplice of crime in Ivano-Frankivsk in ’18, there are no signs of tears and only happiness about his death. Move on… The suicide, as well as conversations between Gryshchenko about this, attracted the attention of investigators who continued investigating other people particularly by conducting searches – the second phase, I name it ‘phase’ , for some reason I call it ‘phases’, because it really was done with the intention of seizing and obtaining information that could be important for us in the case, to become evidence. Therefore, it was done systematically and each particular phase was planned beforehand. [17:34] Telephone conversations confirm the overall revitalization and tension in the group.
wiretapping of Yana Dugar’s private conversations about the sapper’s bag (17:34-17:38)
Yana Dugar became an object of particular interest for the investigation when she shared her fears with companions, after a search was performed at the address of her registration but not the actual residence. Let me remind you, Dugar – this is a girl who appeared in the court to support Gryshchenko Puma, more precisely, Vladislav in the hearings about [his] remand. She is worried that the investigators allegedly could have found on her other address, something incriminating her. I offer to listen the audio.
Eugene Koval: Well you heard, what this young girl is saying. The investigation body was alerted that an ordinary citizen, a girl 26 years old, has in her apartment a complete set of demining equipment and a large number of phones, despite the fact that she is now a contractor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but her functional position has nothing to do with the mine blasting business, You could hear her concerns, that we could have found, at one of her rented apartments, the presence of seven phones. 7 phones, and two of her personal phones. I’d like to point that we took Yana Dugar to be physiologically similar to a girl, who conducted reconnaissance near Sheremet’s home and photographed CCTV cameras on a mobile phone. By the way, among the whole database of cell phone subscribers, we have not found the girl with this phone, which indicates that the phone was not activated then in the cell phone network, there was no card, it was used as a simple camera, because I have told you at the beginning about millions of traffic that were analyzed and thousands of subscribers who fit the time and place. They were all checked and dropped by the investigation as not matching with this girl. So this caused our interest towards this suspect.
wiretapping of Yulia Kuzmenko’s private conversations – “afraid of searches” (17:38-17:40)
This similar time, the similar mood, the fear of possible search is expressed by Kuzmenko aka “Fox”. She, by the way, never appeared in the crime against the citizen Ch. in Frankivsk, in which criminal inquiry we conduct this investigative measures. In our understanding she had no ground to feel worried. The audio, please. video and audio.
[17:38]
Eugen Koval [17:40]: This is Kuzmenko conversation with her cohabitant nicknamed “Electrician”, I note, and further add that the first detention of Gryshchenko was about 20 days before this talk. However, the mood and psychological state of the entire group was changed dramatically after and only after we issued only one subpoena in the case of Sheremet. This dramatically changed their psychological state.
wiretapping of the “Electrician” – suicidal moods (17:40-17:41)
In one of the conversations with detained Vlad Gryshchenko, his friend Electrician expresses suicidal intentions, please, audio…
Eugene Koval [17:41]: You see what is happening inside the group? Vanya nicknamed Pistol committed suicide and did it in the family apartment, His parents have died [some time ago]. He lived with his sister, he came to her home. She went to the store, came back and found his corpse. Another part of the group also expresses intention to commit suicide. We even had, at the risk of making the investigation visible and breaking the rules of undercover work, to follow him immediately into the forest and, disguised as mushroom pickers with bags and knives we were hovering around, trying not to let him commit a suicide. I think we succeeded with this. By certain methods, He stayed alive and came back to his mind, but we’re working further on it.
alibi of Vlad Gryshchenko (17:41-17:44)
I want to draw attention to another interesting fact from the biography of Gryshchenko, “Bucha” who had once appeared in the view of law enforcement. A week before the Sheremet’s murder in the 16th year, according to investigators information, Bucha received contract for the murder of one of the farmers in the Dnipropetrovsk region. He was asked to provide an explosive device, in that case he “proactively” reported to law enforcement (I am saying “proactively” in quotation marks) and named the customer. Law enforcers were able then to stage a performance and arrest the crime organizer. Bucha now uses this fact as an alibi. I want to add a little bit, by the way, that this case is currently before the court. But even though that it has been almost four years since then, we are developing Gryshchenko, who had been convicted 6 times before. We have got clear evidence that the Gryshchenko family at this this time, gradually formulated the plan of embezzling a certain property of the hirer, belonging to person who ordered them in `16 a contract killing. [This property constitute] the firms operating in the agricultural field, who own, have assets in the form of buildings and agricultural machinery… in their own favour. Please notice, that the beneficiary of this takeover should be a person who ordered a contract killing of Mr Ch. in ’18 [17:44] in Frankivsk. That is to say a motive of “sincere act”, in quotation marks, is very much in question, as well as the alibi, which we’ll discuss further.
identification of the suspects Mr. Antonenko and Ms. Kuzmenko by gait (17:44-17:46)
We remind that there was a large amount of work done, the most productive of them being the working out of surveillance camera footage and the results of forensic examinations.
In this way,via investigative and search measures and the subsequent documentation of the members of the group… the investigative team were able to clearly identify the persons who are suspected to be perpetrators of Pavlo Sheremet’s murder.
They are Yana Dugar, Yulia Kuzmenko, Antonenko and the Gryshchenko spouses. In addition, the investigation handed over to the Kiev Research Institute of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine samples seized from the cameras near the bombing of Sheremet’s car, as well as footage that depicts the the perpetrators in action.
This data helped to detect the identity of the persons in the video. For this investigation we made available samples, working efficiently with the permission of the court, of gait, visualization etc, so that experts were able to utilize this material effectively. This data helped to detect the identity of the individual in the video. In addition, for further examination, I emphasize, in order to make an objective estimation, an objective analysis… the so called gait analysis, we brought in one of the best specialists from the UK, whose name is Ivan Birch, He cooperates with law enforcement authorities of Britain, the European Union and the United States. Birch processed the materials provided. It’s been a while, it was a very difficult study… he presented his findings. Given his opinion and conclusions of experts, KNIISE of Due Diligence, which included psychological, photo portrait and gait analysis, the following conclusions were provided: 1st conclusion: The male suspect involved in the planting of the explosive device under the Sheremet’s car is citizen Antonenko (I compress, I do not read word by word these conclusions) just compress to make it clear… 2nd conclusion: The female suspect, who planted the explosive, is Kuzmenko Yulia.
silent telephones at night (17:46-17:48)
In addition, I want to note that these findings are also confirmed by analysis of the movements of traffics of these persons at the time of the crime against Sheremet [17:47] — namely: Citizen Antonenko, whose telephones from 11:24 p.m. July, 19, 2016 for a total of 7 hours 23 minutes, until the morning of 20.7.2016, were offline. This is not his usual behavior. Second, Yulia Kuzmenko from 7:36 p.m. on July, 19, 2016 up to 9:00 a.m. 20.07.2016 does not use her phone at all, that is absolutely, I stress, absolutely, not common for her, and can be noticed on those dates only, dates which coincide with the crime against Sheremet. Normally as she is always at work, (and it was Wednesday the 20th, and she is usually at work at 7:30 or 8:00), if not, she drives her child to school, or is engaged in personal stuff and is a very active person, [17:48 ], who constantly communicates via a mobile phone, now as well as then in 2016. But in that period that I have mentioned, she does not use the phone, it just stayed at the same location.
prints on Mr. Antonenko’s clothes and his lameness (17:48-17:48)
It is also important for the investigation that Antonenko often wore, as casual wear, casual wear with specific prints, i.e. drawings, identical to those seen on the clothes of those who planted the, explosives in Sheremet’s car.
You can see it on the video. Antonenko (and these are another corroborating facts) who resides near the crime scene and is well familiar with the neighbourhood, at that time was limping after surgery on his leg
in February 2016.
You can see below pictures from public sources, from the Internet, where he posted a picture of himself in the hospital, his foot operated. [Here on the city plan] on the left you can see the square, it is very interesting.
Bermuda Triangle (17:48-17:50)
The routes the bomb planters took are marked in black; from the time they appear at 2:15 and moving along the map, heading south to a place where an explosive was planted under Sheremet’s car, They then appear again under our observation at 2:51 a.m. Here they bypass the block and disappear again at the top. Let me add that all the streets along the perimeter of the block were worked out as well as all internal streets. Although there are CCTV cameras, ATMs, and other sources of information, we found evidence of neither the arrival of these people in this place, nor their way of exit. A large number of cars that could get in at the time and pass somewhere there along the streets were processed. [17:50] For every car, the route taken, the owner, and the motive for their being there were investigated. All motives were verified. We did not find anything. These individuals appeared to this block, as if out of the Bermuda Triangle, and disappeared again right there. The red mark indicates the house where Antonenko lives. I think it is clear what I mean. [Minister Avakov stretches out his hand and the word “limp” is heard ] and the fact that he limped… yes. And it is clear that the suspect was limping… yes. This is very clearly seen on the video, the experts noticed, and it is visible by unarmed non-expert uneducated eye, if one reviews the video again. You will be able to do it later.
involvement of Gryshchenko (17:50-17:52)
Well, that is what I want to say about phones of Gryshchenkos. On analysis the Gryshchenkos phone show a similar pattern. Their telephones [i.e. mobile phones] are located in Dnepropetrovsk.This is where they should be, according to the alibi given in the documentation of the crime of the contract murder in Dnepropetrovsk. And they do stay there from 10.07.2016 to 21.07 2016, But this is not typical behaviour, not typical at all, in those days, there is no activity beginning from 10 o’clock i.e a.m. on 19.07.2016, until 11 a.m.on 20.07. 2016; almost 24-hours. The phones are not active, just located in the city of Dnipropetrovsk. We looked up their normal activity, before and after, at the maximum possible period. Activity was always present, but on those days it wasn`t. [17:52] So, that is, the investigators concluded, that the phones of Kuzmenko, who left it at the place of registration, and of Gryshchenko who left them in the city of Dnepropetrovsk, by being inactive at the times mentioned, it easily allows, that even by car or by other means of travel their owners to move to the city of Kiev, to do what was committed against Sheremet, and then calmly arrive back again to Dnepropetrovsk, take a shower, have lunch and then reactivate the phones.
Ms. Dugar’s identification (17:52-17:53)
Well, then, concerning a female face that is recorded on video cameras 5 and 2 days before the crime, the female who fixed a camera location on the mobile phone. We call her ‘The scout’. According to our records, it is Yana Dugar.
Forensic studies, assigned by the investigation, confirmed that is it her who is in the picture. I stress, forensic studies. Here’s this girl…
discrediting the Gryshchenko couple (17:53-17:56)
I want to mention a few words characterizing the features of the suspects. Inna Gryshchenko was engaged in vigorous activity involving supply for military units, During ATO [=Russia-Ukrainian war 2014—] she purchased several apartments and number of cars.
I will not provide records right now, because we have a lot of them, hundreds of hours of audio recordings of various conversations, among which it is revealed how all that property was purchased… or acquired and it is pretty cynical. But, what we want to say about her is that she is a tough team leader, determined and purposeful.. This is confirmed by the various conversations, including those with her husband. Please audio…
Eugene Koval: In our understanding, this conversation concerns, most likely the hirers or accomplices of the crime.
We understand that there is blackmail extortion of funds from hirers of the murder of a citizen Ch. in Ivano-Frankivsk in ’18. It is documented by the investigator, investigators and the investigative team. We understood that these persons required the purchase of bedroom apartments for these crimes, for this crime. [17:55] They require the payment for the defense lawyers, which are very expensive, (this is also documented), and money for lawyers, given by the hirer of the killers, 2018 in Ivano-Frankivsk. By the way, today we detained him, and handed him a warrant suspecting him of being the hirer. There is a full family there who dealt with the case. About Vladislav Gryshchenko. Previously convicted for racketeering, fraud, robbery, he has a total of 6 criminal records. He is a specialist in explosive devices and has combat experience I am forced to admit, in the ATO [Russia-Ukrainian war, 2014—], and it was heroic combat experience. He claims that he can easily and quickly assemble an explosive device (IED), in any circumstances. Audio, please…
Eugen Koval: This he says to his companions, in prison, where he was kept and where we recorded this conversation.
discrediting Yulia Kuzmenko (17:56-18:02)
Furthermore, Yulia Kuzmenko, pediatric surgeon working in the “Okhmatdyt”
[National Children’s Specialized Hospital, Kyiv]; during her time in the ATO [Russia-Ukrainian war, 2014—], assisted the military, that’s really so. In recent years… she became the owner of a house and several cars, you can see it on the chart. Repeatedly in conversations with loved ones, she expressed radical views and discussed various scenarios aimed at destabilizing social and political situation in the Ukraine. In particular,scenarios with the involvement of the military and bombardment of our capital [17:57] with rocket launchers. I emphasize — the capital, the city of Kiev. Audio, please…
Eugen Koval: I think this is a very interesting discussion, how many loads of GRADs, is necessary to bring us, Kyiv inhabitants, residents and visitors; to bring Kiev into a state of shock and to destabilize the situation. The next recently recorded conversation of the citizen Yulia Kuzmenko, testifies about the discussion and approval of a specific scenario. [17:58]. I’ll tell you, this is not a singular [occasion] and is not the one-time discussion The investigation has these materials at their disposal, they are legalized and will be hereinafter respectively examined, but I want to focus on one conversation. Thus, under the scenario of destabilization of the internal situation in the country by electing a ‘sacrificial victim’ among famous and popular people in society, namely women; this time. she discusses the commitment of illegal actions against them with the aim of stirring up society. In this context, they recall one of their close friends; known volunteer and activist Marusya Zvirobiy, as a possible ‘sacrificial victim’. Audio, please…
Eugene Koval: You have all heard yourself, Thus, if they choose a certain person who is in a particular political or private situation. One in the political or private arena, possibly in opposition to the government and commit a crime against her, to shove forward some other political processes; anyone affiliated with any other body or with law enforcement in general; can cause the fur to fly and then you can imagine what will begin. Also if a crime could be committed… [18:02] against her kids, just as an idea, to force the very ‘sacrificial victim’ idea; performing active deeds, to destabilize the political situation.
closing statement (18:02-18:03)
So, the investigation received collectively grounded base for suspicions against certain individuals of involvement in the organization and execution of the murder of a Russian citizen, journalist Pavel Sheremet, namely for the possible destabilizing of the internal socio-political situation in the country. Police are now conducting a series of investigative actions, namely, searches and detentions, preparing to hand over… previously confirmed with the procedural supervisors, the Prosecutor’s General Office, who by the way were very helpful, at the stage of the investigation and took a volitional position to authorize the upcoming permits for appropriate overt and covert investigative actions. [18:03]. So, preparing to hand over bills of suspicions, confirmed by procedural supervisors and preventive measure application by courts for the suspects. Let me remind you that the investigation has much larger amounts of information, than we released here. One could even tell more, but I’m sorry, and I can only comment on the amount of information which we got the permission from the investigator to comment upon. So I have utilized this permit as much as I could. So thanks for the report, let me…
Artem Shevchenko: I want to introduce the Chairman of the National Police of Ukraine Ihor Klimenko, the police General of the 3rd grade, for a brief speech.
Speech by the Chief of the National Police Igor Klymenko (18:03 – 18:05)
Igor Klimenko: Dear Mr. President, dear Minister of the Interior, Mr Prosecutor General, Dear guests, dear journalists! [18:04] Operatives and investigators really did perform a huge amount of work, as has been said; “an immense” amount. Besides a large number of investigative actions some of which we have presented today, many more operational and procedural measures were performed, which made it possible to assemble all the information collected. I would like to note, that three and a half years have passed since the offense was committed. In such latent, contract crimes which haven’t been solved in hot pursuit of the perpetrators, it is extremely difficult to work. we had to gather all the information bit by bit in order to fill in the evidence base. And in this context I would like to highlight the important role of the media and journalists including those that are present in this hall, who provided the captured video reports within the investigative journalism. [18:05] I would like to confirm that in the course of the investigation [scratching his nose] at certain stages the systemic resistance did take place. We have an idea who did it. I do not exclude that in the future some of these persons will become the objects of the investigation. We really couldn’t tell you more than you heard today. There is too much material, too much information. But, given the public outcry that this resonant crime is under control of the leadership of the state, by every citizen of Ukraine we have been able to disclose this information with the true help and the permission of the investigators. Perhaps someone else has more information in order to help the investigation. We are ready to accept this information and wish to note, that we will ensure the confidentiality of these citizens and safety as well. We are ready to cooperate and we’ll listen to everybody and verify any information that comes to the National Police. Thank you.
Artem Shevchenko: Please. A brief word – Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Ryaboshapka.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Ryaboshapka: the perpetrators have been identified (18:05 – 18:08)
Ruslan Ryaboshapka: Dear Mr. President, Dear Mr. Minister, colleagues from the National Police, dear attendants. You know, as the country recovers from the shock I would like to mention the titanic work of our colleagues from the National Police, our fellow prosecutors. It seems to me that in the state very few people [18:06] believed that such a crime could be solved. And that’s actually very good that those colleagues who have just reported to you, did believe it. And they succeeded.[18:07] I would say again that this is just the first steps in solving the crime, since only those persons who have planned and actually committed the murder have been detected. In fact, the country has yet to hear the answer to the question of who was the initiator or organizer of this terrible crime. I hope that the country will get the answer to this question too. And at the last. I am often asked by journalists what is the level of cooperation between the prosecution authorities, the National police authorities and my relationship with the Minister of Internal Affairs. It seems to me that the actual disclosure of the crime is a clear example that between the Prosecutor’s Office and the National Police authorities there is in fact (it seems to me that for the first time of independent Ukraine) excellent cooperation and that it yields results. I hope that soon we will see the solution not only of this, but of many other high-profile crimes. [18:08] Once again I would like to acknowledge the work…the titanic work, colleagues from the National Police and the prosecution have performed Well, congratulations on a really great success. Thanks again.
Artem Shevchenko: Thank you. President Vladimir Zelensky Ukraine.
President of Ukraine: the killers were detained, who is the hirer (18:08 – 18:10)
Volodymyr Zelensky [18:08]: Good afternoon, dear journalists. First of all, I would like to say sincerely: I think it will not be enough only to express [my] emotions on what we have seen. We have… A few months ago we had a meeting, and I tell you frankly that for our team, I am sure – for all, it is a special, something special. This criminal case is one of the highest priorities, which we wanted to solve. [18:09] And today I want to thank everyone, Mr. Minister, thank you… personally thank you, guys, all investigators, all prosecutors, Mr. Prosecutor General, thank you for a really powerful work. Alleged killers were detained today. A lot, I’m sure you all you saw it yourself, a lot of answers, thank God, we have received together today. But there is another question — who is the hirer. I’m sure this question will surely be answered next time. This will… I want to believe that this will be the third and the final meeting on this very high-profile case concerning the murder of Pavlo Sheremet. The third one. It seems to me, no more meeting is necessary. I wouldn’t like it to become a kind of TV series. And, as we said, this is a very high priority case for us. Alas… [18:10] Unfortunately, in our country, there are still many such cases, but I’m sure, basically, I wouldn’t like to repeat the words that Prosecutor General said, I am sure that cooperation between law-enforcement agencies, the strong existing law enforcement cooperation, gives us… it helps us find necessary conclusions, and make sure all the criminals will occur behind bars. This is the answer why we are all working together. Thanks again..
Answers to D. Khilyuk’s question about motive. There was no destabilization (18:10 – 18:12)
Artem Shevchenko: Thank you all. Friends, there is a lot of work the investigation has to do, as well as the country’s and law enforcement leaders, as we agreed, a few questions, let’s restrict it by three Please come up to the technician. Please formulate your question very briefly and introduce yourself. Please ask the first question. Who? Dmytro Hilyuk, UNIAN, please… [18:11] Turn on the switch on the top.
Dmytro Khilyuk: With respect to the motive… Do not you think that Sheremet figure was not as well-known, let’s say, for the Ukrainian people, to destabilize the situation in Ukraine in general, and, in fact, destabilization this did not actually happen. So, isn’t this the weak point – the motive? Thanks.
Artem Shevchenko: Thank you
Igor Klymenko: One…[checks the microphone] I want to say that Sheremet figure was quite well-known in Ukraine, He was a person who was known not only in Ukraine but also abroad. Sheremet was a famous journalist, a known presenter, and was known by almost everyone in this country. Therefore, we do not think that such a statement, that it was an unknown person, is a correct statement.
Artem Shevchenko: [18:12] Can someone else add? Eugen Alexandrovich [Koval]? Maksim Sergeevich [Tsutskiridze], no? No. I ask a question on this side. Introduce yourself, please…
Answers to I.Burdyga’s questions about Russia’s involvement (18:12 – 18:13)
Igor Burdyga: Igor Burdyga, edition ‘Graty’ [graty.me]. Tell me, please, in the 16th year there sounded a version of destabilization, sounded version of destabilization of the situation in the country from Russian part. Is this version about the involvement of the ‘Kremlin’s hand’ still considered and how it will affect the international negotiations now? Maybe, Mr. President will tell?
Maxim Tsutskiridze: You know, you were shown the basic version. There are several derivative versions which are processed by us at the moment. And, again, at this stage there are active investigations… Certainly, is some additional information occurs…… and it should occur — we’ll let you know, respectively, in addition.
Artem Shevchenko: Please…
Arsen Avakov: Within this version, there are several derivative versions, … as the chief of the investigation has mentioned… But, for example, [18:13] Sheremet wrote a book together with Nemtsov, Sheremet published several materials that exposed the corresponding the current regime in the neighboring country. Therefore, this can also be a version. And this is also considered.
Artem Shevchenko: Thank you, let’s take the last question from this side and finish, so that we can let the investigators work as well as the heads of law enforcement agencies.
Answers to S. Lukashova’s questions about the participation of the intelligent agencies and the alleged agreement between the President and the Minister on retaining his position in exchange for solving the case (18:13 – 18:15)
Sonya Lukashova: “Ukrainian pravda” [pravda.com.ua], Sonya Lukashova Tell me, please, were there or used to be the suspects or other persons involved, whose names we have heard today, the staff members of Ukrainian (or non-Ukrainian) special law enforcement or general law enforcement agencies? And also the “Public Television” requested to refer the matter to the Minister and the President: whether there was an agreement on the fact that Mr. Avakov will retain the position [in reward] for rapid solution of the Sheremet case? Thanks.
Maxim Tsutskiridze: I’ll answer the first part of the question. There are 3 suspects in criminal proceedings yet… Again, at the moment of the handing over suspicion bills, searches continue. [18:14] We do not rule out and we hope that the number of persons detained will be expanded. … in relation to the suspects.
Arsen Avakov: I do not think this is the place to discuss political rumors… but seriously I can tell you that I have the only agreement: to work honestly and, most important, comfortably. No other ones. And I am not ruling out that after this case and a number of completed cases I’ll want to ask for resignations.
Volodymyr Zelensky: May I… I basically would like to add to Mr. Minister, we have… a serious case, the murder of Pavel Sheremet. I want to tell you that, in principle, not just me, and I think that any decent person never makes any “agreements”, in quotation marks, upon the blood. Thank.
Artem Shevchenko [18:15]: Thank you very much. This concludes our briefing and our presentation. Thank you for the attention. All materials you can get…
See also
Documents
Sheremet’s. Materials of the examination of the identification of Andriy Antonenko
Petition for continuation of imprisonment and testimony of Rifmeister. Documents
Antonenko’s height. Materials of investigations of the investigation
Video
Briefing of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with subtitles (ukr / ros / eng) on our YouTube channel.
Myths in the case of Sheremet. Part 1. Myths 1 and 2.
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