A court in Lviv has extended the hearing in the Farion murder case
On April 22, 2026, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Lviv resumed proceedings in the high-profile case involving the murder of renowned linguist Iryna Farion.
This was reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
The key event of the hearing was a statement by the defendant, Vyacheslav Zinchenko, announcing the start of a hunger strike in protest against the alleged violation of his constitutional rights.
Present at the court hearing were representatives of the prosecution, the victim’s daughter Sofia Osoba with her defense attorney, the defendant’s lawyers, and Zinchenko’s mother.
The presiding judge officially confirmed that the defendant has been refusing food since April 17, due to which he stated that he was unable to fully participate in the proceedings.
“Zinchenko replied that he has been on a hunger strike since April 17 and, due to his physical condition, was unable to prepare a motion for the court or prepare for the proceedings. In this regard, he requested that the court hearing be postponed,” reports a correspondent from the courtroom.
Despite complaints about his health, the court decided to continue the hearing under medical supervision.
The defense filed a series of motions aimed at resuming the judicial investigation.
The attorneys insisted on the inclusion of new expert opinions and the disclosure of additional pre-trial investigation materials, arguing that the right to defense was being restricted.
However, the court denied most of these requests, deeming them unfounded at this stage.
Meanwhile, the prosecution filed a motion to extend Zinchenko’s pretrial detention for another 60 days without the right to bail.
The prosecution considers such a measure necessary due to the gravity of the alleged crime and the existing risks of the defendant absconding.
After deliberating in chambers, the panel of judges decided to return to the trial phase.
This will allow the court to hear Zinchenko’s testimony again regarding the circumstances of the criminal proceedings and to thoroughly consider the question of the appropriateness of his continued detention.
In the Farion case, the court questioned a witness and examined Zinchenko’s phone
Farion, accused of murder, went on a hunger strike over the pull-up bar
