Photo from UNIAN

Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Heather Nauert has said attacks on Ukraine's civil society must stop and those responsible for such crimes must be brought to justice.

"The U.S. extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kateryna Handziuk. Attacks on Ukraine's civil society must stop. Those responsible for ordering and committing this horrific attack must be brought to justice," Nauert wrote on Twitter on November 6, 2018.

Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland voiced the same demand.

"The murder of Ukrainian activist Kateryna Handziuk, who spoke out against corruption, is a tragic loss. Our prayers are with her family and loved ones. Those responsible for this crime must be brought to justice," Freeland wrote on Twitter on November 5, 2018.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Kherson activist, adviser to the Mayor of Kherson and acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk on July 31 survived an act of acid throwing. Handziuk's injury was over 30% of the total body surface area, and doctors assessed her condition as serious.

She was transferred to a Kyiv hospital, where died on November 4 after long treatment. She reportedly died of a blood clot.

Police originally qualified the attack on the official as an attempted murder committed with extreme cruelty, then its status was changed to completed murder.

Six suspects were detained, one of whom, Mykola Novikov, was later released from custody as charges against him were dropped.

Three suspects – Vyacheslav Vishnevsky, Volodymyr Vasyanovych, and Viktor Horbunov – are now under house arrest.

The alleged organizer of the assassination, Serhiy Torbin, remains in custody. His arrest has recently been extended until December 3.

Mykyta Hrabchuk is also under arrest.