Zinchenko’s Sentence in the Iryna Farion Murder Case Will Be Announced in Lviv
Today, October 1, a hearing is scheduled to take place at the Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Lviv regarding the murder of linguist Iryna Farion. The court plans to announce the verdict for the defendant, Vyacheslav Zinchenko, who faces life imprisonment under the charges brought against him.
The court hearing in Case No. 466/12967/24 is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Lviv.
The victim in the case is Iryna Farion’s daughter, Sofia Osoba, and the defendant is Vyacheslav Zinchenko.
As a reminder, on July 19, 2024, an assassination attempt was made on Iryna Farion in Lviv. At around 7:30 p.m. on one of the city’s streets, an unknown assailant fired a shot at the linguist.
Iryna Farion died in the hospital following the attack.
Ihor Klymenko, then-Minister of Internal Affairs, reported that the attack was initially classified as attempted murder. Law enforcement officials considered several possible motives for the crime, including those related to Iryna Farion’s civic and political activities, as well as personal animosity.
Police found a shell casing at the scene of the shooting. Law enforcement officials also did not rule out a “Russian connection” to the crime.
On July 25, 2024, 18-year-old Vyacheslav Zinchenko was arrested in Dnipro on suspicion of murdering Iryna Farion.
Ihor Klymenko stated that law enforcement had sufficient evidence to assert that it was Vyacheslav Zinchenko who shot Iryna Farion. According to the minister, the investigation had been ongoing for 139 hours at that point.
The first court hearing regarding the selection of a pretrial detention measure for Zinchenko took place on July 26, 2024, at the Halytskyi District Court in Lviv. The court then remanded him in custody without the right to post bail.
In September 2024, Vyacheslav Zinchenko himself asked the court to extend his pretrial detention, stating that he feared for his life.
“They want to transfer me to a pretrial detention center. Know this: if something happens to me, if my pretrial measure isn’t extended, I’ll take my own life… I don’t want to kill myself; they aren’t planning to, under any circumstances. So know this—if something happens to me, then they helped me. I’m asking the prosecutors and judges to extend my pretrial detention,” Zinchenko told reporters.
At the first court hearing, Vyacheslav Zinchenko pleaded not guilty. He also asked journalists to ask more interesting questions, calling their questions “some kind of drivel.”
In late December 2024, the prosecutor’s office filed an indictment with the court in the case of the murder of Iryna Farion.
The Office of the Prosecutor General stated at the time:
“Prosecutors from the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office have completed the pretrial investigation and submitted an indictment to the court against an 18-year-old resident of Dnipro on charges of murdering Irina Farion, a civic activist and member of the Ukrainian Parliament of the 7th convocation.”
At the same time, law enforcement reclassified the case. Zinchenko was charged with murder committed in connection with the victim’s performance of her civic duty and motivated by national intolerance, as well as illegal possession of a weapon.
Under this charge, Vyacheslav Zinchenko faces life imprisonment.
On September 17, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Lviv concluded the court proceedings in the case of the murder of Iryna Farion. Afterward, the court retired to the deliberation room to render its decision.
At the beginning of the hearing, the defense requested additional time to review the case materials, particularly the forensic medical report.
The defense attorney also alleged that certain case materials had been improperly scanned and that pressure was being exerted on the defense.
The court granted the defense 20 minutes to review the materials. After the recess, the defense attorney requested that the hearing be adjourned until September 18 to allow her to finish preparing her closing argument.
Prosecutors opposed this motion. They noted that the defense had already been given time to review the case materials.
According to the prosecutor, during the pretrial investigation, more than 60 expert examinations were ordered, more than 1,500 people were questioned, and CCTV footage was reviewed.
Now, on October 1, the court is set to announce the verdict for Vyacheslav Zinchenko in the case of the murder of Iryna Farion.
On September 17, the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Lviv concluded the closing arguments in the case of the murder of linguist Iryna Farion. Afterward, the panel of judges retired to the deliberation room to render a verdict.
On the second anniversary of the death of linguist and People’s Deputy of the 7th convocation Iryna Farion, her daughter Sofia Osoba published a poignant video message. She shared family memories, spoke about a family tradition, and expressed words of love and gratitude to her mother.
As a reminder, the defendant accused of Farion’s murder will be assigned a public defender.
The defendant in the Faryon murder case refused to testify in court.
