Police in the Lviv region have identified four young men involved in an attack on members of the National Academic Hutsul Song and Dance Ensemble “Hutsuliya”. The attackers are aged 17, 18, and two are 21 years old.
Three of them have been officially charged with hooliganism committed by a group. One suspect is currently evading authorities, and as a result, the notification of suspicion was delivered to his father in accordance with procedural law.
One of the suspects has already been placed under 24-hour house arrest by court decision. The police have also filed motions to apply the same preventive measure to the other two suspects.
Attention is also focused on the actions of the Police Security Department officers who arrived at the scene. Their conduct is currently under review by the Main Inspection. The National Police leadership is expected to present the results of the internal investigation, which will serve as the basis for further decisions.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko emphasized that the young men’s actions constitute a criminal offense. He stated that such behavior cannot be justified by age or circumstances and assured that all who choose violence will be held accountable.
Meanwhile, the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office denied claims circulating in media and social networks that one of the attackers’ parents is employed in the regional prosecutor’s office.
According to the prosecutor’s office:
- none of the parents of those involved work in or have ties to the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office;
- no prosecutor has contacted media outlets with requests to remove video content related to the incident.
To clarify the situation, it was established that a representative of the “Hutsuliya” ensemble assumed one suspect’s parent was a prosecutor after he called a newsroom demanding the removal of a video featuring his daughter. Since the man threatened to sue, assumptions were made about his occupation, which turned out to be false.
Law enforcement urges journalists and social media administrators to rely on verified information only.