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On December 12, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the Order of Courage, Grade III, to a soldier of the Ukrainian National Guard, Vitaly Markiv.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, awarded a military member of the Ukrainian National Guard, Vitaly Markiv, the Order of Courage, grade III. The head of state signed the corresponding decree No. 563/2020 on December 12.
Zelensky signed the document taking into account the request of the Ministry of the Interior of Ukraine, reported the press service of the Office of the President.
“On the Day of Land Forces, when Ukraine honors its heroes who defend the freedom and independence of our state, and thanks them for their valuable service, Vitaly Markiv was awarded for outstanding personal achievements in state and social activities, exemplary performance of official and civic duties, high professionalism and a significant contribution to the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens and the interests of Ukraine at the international level, “the statement said.
The ministry noted that Markiv was unjustly sentenced to 24 years in prison in Italy for the death of a journalist, however, “while preserving military honor and civil dignity, he managed to prove his innocence and obtain freedom.”
“The Ukrainian state and I personally will always defend the rights of our citizens and we will always help them to return home, no matter where in the world they are in trouble. We will fight for each of our citizens, this is one of my basic principles.” said the president.
Markiv was arrested in Bologna on June 30, 2017 on suspicion of being involved in the murder of Italian journalist Andrea Rocchelli and his translator Andrei Mironov on May 24, 2014 in the Slavyansk region. According to the investigation, while on Mount Karachun, Markiv allegedly relayed information on the whereabouts of the journalists.
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Italian law enforcement officers launched criminal proceedings against Markiv based on the testimony of a French journalist who provided a video sequence allegedly confirming Markiv’s involvement in Rocchelli’s murder. Ukrainian law enforcement officials believe that the deaths of the Italian and the Russian were due to bombings by Russian terrorist forces. There were no mortars in Markiv’s unit, which fired on the journalist’s alleged whereabouts, the Interior Ministry explained.
The Italian prosecution requested 17 years in prison for Markiv. On July 12, 2019, a court in Pavia sentenced the National Guard to 24 years in prison.
On November 20, 2019, the defense filed an appeal against the verdict.
On November 3, 2020, Markiv was acquitted. He was released. On November 4, Markiv returned to Ukraine and reinstated his service in the Kulchitsky battalion.
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