Court refused to hear the case of Belarusian journalist Kardash detained in Kyiv
A preliminary court hearing in Inna Kardash's case took place, but the status of the indictment was not determined.
Photo: Lookby.Media
As Radio Svaboda learned, the preliminary court hearing, which was supposed to consider the indictment for compliance with Ukrainian legislation, took place on June 18, however, the judge who received the case through automatic distribution could not start the process.
As it turned out, Inna Kardash's case contains many materials marked "secret" and not declassified in the manner prescribed by law.
The judge who received the case does not have appropriate access to such materials and appealed to his superior with a request to appoint another judge or panel of judges who do have such access.
At the same time, the court upheld the prosecutor's motion to extend Inna Kardash's detention in the Kyiv pre-trial detention center until August 16, 2026. Her lawyer insisted that she be released under round-the-clock house arrest, but the court found no grounds for this.
What preceded it
Inna Kardash was detained on January 21 this year and charged with espionage for the KGB.
At the time of her detention, Inna Kardash was already working at the Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine. According to the investigation, she contacted the KGB through a Belarusian citizen who "knowingly cooperated confidentially with the Belarusian special services for her."
On April 20, it became known that the court had seized Inna Kardash's apartment to ensure the criminal case.
According to the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, at the preliminary stage, i.e., as a result of considering the indictment, if there are grounds, the judge may even close the case. If the indictment complies with legal requirements, the court must set a date for the start of the hearing.
The qualification of the crime committed by Inna Kardash has not changed — Inna Kardash is accused under Part 1 of Art. 114 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (transfer or collection by a foreigner for the purpose of transferring to a foreign state, foreign organization or their representatives information that constitutes a state secret). She faces imprisonment for a term of 10 to 15 years with or without confiscation of property.
Comments