Former Azov fighter Lakhno confirmed his detention following the incident with Andriy Yermak outside the courthouse
Viktor “Leleka” Lakhno, a former prisoner of war and soldier with the Azov Regiment, confirmed that he was detained following an incident involving Andriy Yermak, the former head of the President’s Office, near a courthouse in Kyiv.
After the court hearing on the selection of a preventive measure for Andriy Yermak, one of the men threw an egg at him.
Subsequently, footage appeared on social media showing Viktor Lakhno in handcuffs.
The soldier himself confirmed that he was taken to the police station after the incident.
“Someone just told them to detain me and take me to the police station,” Lakhno said.
According to the soldier, the decision to detain him was likely made following someone’s order.
A video was also posted online in which people shout at Andriy Yermak that “the Ukrainian people do not respect him.”
In response, the former head of the President’s Office said, “And do you speak for the entire Ukrainian people?”
Viktor “Leleka” Lakhno is a fighter in the Azov Regiment. He participated in the airborne assault on Azovstal and later returned from Russian captivity.
As noted, in such cases, administrative liability may apply under Article 173 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses—“Petty Hooliganism.”
The penalty under this article provides for:
- a fine of 51 to 119 UAH;
- community service of 40 to 60 hours;
- correctional labor for up to two months;
- or administrative arrest for up to 15 days.
As a reminder, on May 12, the High Anti-Corruption Court did not impose a preventive measure on Andriy Yermak.
The defense stated that it had not had time to review the 16 volumes of the case file.
Earlier, SAPO Head Oleksandr Klymenko announced that the prosecution would request that Yermak be held in custody with an alternative bail of 180 million hryvnias.
According to the NABU and the SAPO, Yermak is suspected of involvement in a case regarding the laundering of 460 million hryvnias during the construction of a cottage community in the village of Kozin in the Kyiv region. Investigators believe the funds may be linked to corruption schemes surrounding “Energoatom.”
As a reminder, the lawyer for Andriy Yermak, the former head of the President’s Office, stated that NABU detectives conducted three searches of his apartment.
It is also known that Yermak discussed the heads of NABU and the SAPO with a “fortune teller,” although he later claimed he had no connection to fortune tellers.
The High Anti-Corruption Court partially upheld the motion filed by the SAPO prosecutor and imposed a pretrial detention measure on Andriy Yermak in the form of 60 days in custody.
