Italian Prosecution Demands 17 Years’ Imprisonment for Ex-Ukrainian Serviceman

Former Ukrainian National Guard serviceman Vitaliy Markiv could be sentenced to 17 years in prison after Italian prosecutors charged him with the murder of Italian citizen Andrea Rocchelli on the territory of Ukraine.

Markiv, who holds both Ukrainian and Italian citizenship, is being tried under Italian law in the city of Pavia.

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Italian prosecutors say Vitaliy Markiv’s actions on Karachun Mountain led to the death of Rocchelli. The defense denies the allegations, insisting that the journalists were in a combat zone without identifying insignia and were the victims of a crossfire.

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The Italian Ministry of Justice is now seeking more information from another former Ukrainian serviceman – Bogdan Matkivsky – who currently is serving as a lawmaker. Earlier on February 8, Bogdan Matkivsky testified in court on behalf of Markiv.

Arsen Avakov, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, has maintained that Markiv is innocent.

The final verdict will be held within the coming weeks.

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