The court dismissed the case against the commander of the Lviv Berkut unit due to the statute of limitations
The Svyatoshyn District Court of Kyiv dismissed the criminal case against Rostyslav Patselyak, the commander of the Lviv “Berkut” unit, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. The court also denied the victims’ claims for compensation for emotional distress.
This is the second time the case has been reviewed following an appeal. The Svyatoshyn Court first dismissed the case in 2024 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
At that time, the presiding judge halted the proceedings before reaching the stage of court debates. In total, the case was pending before the court for about eight years—during which time the court examined evidence and questioned witnesses.
Due to the prolonged proceedings, the High Council of Justice imposed disciplinary sanctions on the presiding judge. He was suspended from judicial duties for two months and required to undergo professional development training at the National School of Judges.
In a closed-door proceeding, Rostyslav Patselyak was charged with abuse of authority, obstructing peaceful assemblies, obstructing journalistic activities, and using violence against government and public figures.
This refers to the events of February 18, 2014, when the Lviv “Berkut” battalion, under Patselyak’s command, together with the Kharkiv “Berkut” unit, participated in the dispersal of protesters on Maidan.
According to the case file, 23 protesters were killed during those events.
At the same time, three other criminal cases against Rostyslav Patselyak are currently pending—one concerns the deaths of protesters, and the other two are related to beatings.
As noted in the case materials, the statute of limitations for the more serious charges is 15 years, so there are about three years remaining before it expires. For less serious offenses, the statutes of limitations have already expired; however, according to the data provided, the relevant proceedings are still to be heard by the court.
The case materials also raise the issue of Patselyak’s citizenship and ties to Russia.
According to the information provided, Rostislav Patselyak has held a Russian passport for over 20 years, is a reserve soldier in the Russian Armed Forces, and receives a Russian pension.
After 2014, he reportedly traveled to Russia.
Patselyak received his Ukrainian passport in 2003, when he arrived in Ukraine on the eve of Viktor Yushchenko’s presidential election and soon began working for the police.
According to the information provided, when applying for Ukrainian citizenship, he declared that he was renouncing his Russian citizenship. Rostislav Patselyak was recently stripped of his Ukrainian passport.
During another court proceeding, it reportedly emerged that Rostyslav Patselyak is not registered for military service in Ukraine; however, he was exempted from mobilization at the request of Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest LLC.
According to the data provided, the exemption was granted by order of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine dated the 22nd, based on a letter from the CEO of “Metinvest.”
The letter stated that Patselyak was involved in the work of the humanitarian headquarters.
It is known that Rostislav Patselyak had been working at Metinvest as a security specialist since 2018.
In 2024, Rostislav Patselyak was released from pretrial detention on bail of 1 million hryvnia. According to the information provided, the bail was posted by a Metinvest employee.
In another criminal case, Patselyak was also released on bail. This time, his mother-in-law posted the 1 million hryvnia bail.
He currently resides in Novoyavorivsk. As part of one of the precautionary measures, the court allowed him to move about the city while wearing an electronic ankle monitor.
Subsequently, Patselyak requested permission to travel within the Yavoriv district, and the court granted this request.
It is noted, however, that the district contains three customs checkpoints, military bases, and training grounds for Ukrainian brigades.
At the same time, the allegations regarding Patselyak’s citizenship, possible violations, and the circumstances of his release on bail require evaluation within the framework of the relevant court proceedings. The decision in this now-closed case specifically concerns the termination of proceedings due to the statute of limitations and does not constitute an acquittal on the merits of the charges.
Journalist Anna Mamonova reported this on Facebook.
The Obolon District Court of Kyiv found the former commander of the Kyiv regiment of the “Berkut” special police unit, three former law enforcement officers, and two coordinators of the so-called “titushki” guilty in the case of the unlawful persecution of participants in the Revolution of Dignity. They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 7 to 10 years.
As a reminder, the Obolon District Court of Kyiv dismissed the criminal case against “Berkut” officers Roman Tymkiv and Vitaliy Kuropas, who were accused of violence against Automaidan activists.
The commander of the “black company” of the “Berkut” special police unit was convicted of destroying evidence of shootings on the Maidan.
