Ukraine hopes the decision regarding Vitaliy will be fair and impartial.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said a court in Italy on September 29 will start considering the appeal in the case of Ukrainian national Vitaliy Markiv, who is challenging a 24-year sentence for his role six years ago while serving in the Ukrainian National Guard that involved the deaths of an Italian photojournalist and his Russian interpreter.
"A hearing in the case of our National Guard soldier Markiv will take place on September 29. This is a very dramatic process. We consider the accusations brought against Vitaliy to be unfounded," he said during an online briefing on Friday.
"We certainly respect the Italian justice system, but we very clearly express our hope the decision regarding Vitaliy will be fair and impartial, devoid of any emotions and incorrect interpretation of the facts," he said.
According to the foreign minister, Ukraine is working with the Italian side on this issue, and the consuls provide constant support to Markiv during the trial.
"I turned to the international human rights organizations to invite them to monitor this trial to prevent possible violations or incorrect interpretations of the facts related to this case, as well as recording possible facts of pressure on the court to confirm the conviction," he said.
"I hope the international human rights activists will hear our appeal, join this case and, finally, we will have an objective verdict that will give Vitaliy the freedom he deserves," Kuleba said.
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