A suspect within the deadly capturing of outstanding Ukrainian politician Andriy Parubiy has been arrested, the nation’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has mentioned.
The 54-year-old parliamentarian was killed by an attacker posing as a courier within the western metropolis of Lviv on Saturday, sparking a manhunt.
Ukraine’s inside minister Igor Klymenko mentioned in a press release issued within the early hours of Monday morning that the suspect had been detained within the western Khmelnytskyi area.
Parubiy rose to prominence throughout Ukraine’s Euromaidan mass protests, which advocated nearer ties with the EU and introduced down pro-Russian former President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.
Klymenko mentioned the preliminary investigation had discovered the killing had been “rigorously ready” with Parubiy’s journey schedule and route mapped out, in addition to an escape plan.
He added that Ukraine’s nationwide police drive would offer additional particulars later.
In a social media publish, Zelensky mentioned he had spoken to chief prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko who suggested that the suspect had given an preliminary testimony.
“Pressing investigative actions are at the moment underway to determine all of the circumstances of this homicide,” he added, whereas additionally thanking legislation enforcement and prosecutors for “working across the clock”.
Unverified footage, purportedly of the capturing, appeared to indicate a gunman dressed as a courier approaching Parubiy on the road and holding up a weapon as he walked behind him.
At a information briefing on Saturday, Lviv police chief Oleksandr Shliakhovskyi mentioned the attacker had “fired about eight photographs from a firearm”.
Sources inside Ukraine’s legislation enforcement businesses advised the BBC that the attacker had dressed to appear to be a employee from supply firm Glovo. The corporate mentioned it was “deeply shocked” by the crime and would co-operate totally with an investigation.
Parubiy was the speaker of the nation’s parliament from April 2016 to August 2019.
He was one of many leaders of demonstrations in 2013-14 which known as for nearer ties with the European Union. He organised its “self-defence” groups who guarded the sprawling tent camp within the coronary heart of the capital Kyiv through the protest.
