EnglishThe following press release was distributed today to media:
Amsterdam & Partners LLP Retained by Ukrainian Lawmaker Artem Dmytruk to Defend against Campaign of Violent Threats
The firm will seek emergency protection measures before the Inter-Parliamentary Union and other international bodies
LONDON, AUGUST 21, 2024 – The law firm of Amsterdam & Partners LLP has been retained to represent Artem Dmytruk, a People’s Deputy in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada representing a district in Odessa as part of the Restoration of Ukraine parliamentary group.
Dmytruk retained the firm following a series of concerning events, including being stripped of his private security protection and being targeted with numerous public and private messages on social media including death threats and threats of violence against him and his family.
According to Dmytruk, “On August 17, 2024, right-wing radical activist Yevhen Karas, previously suspected in the murder of writer Oles Buzina, started a new campaign against me. In his public statements, he called on his supporters to physically assault me, promising that those who attack me should be prepared to sit in the pre-trial detention center, but his supporters would do everything possible to get them out.”
The Ukrainian lawmaker further notes that on July 11, 2024, an individual named Volodymyr Petrov publicly called on Serhiy Sternenko to make an attempt on his life, saying that he should be “stabbed to death.” Dmytruk reported the threat to police, but no action was taken.
The removal of Dmytruk’s private security was preceded by a post published on X by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in which he indirectly threatened members of the Rada who did not support a recent bill to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Dmytruk has reported the death threats to the police, however he fears that the bloggers and extremists threatening him are allegedly linked to the Office of the President.
“We are urgently concerned for the physical safety of Deputy Dmytruk and his family. It is deeply alarming that following Yermak’s ‘dog whistle’ against Dmytruk, he loses his security protection and becomes the target of extremist radicals,” said Robert Amsterdam. “The Ukrainian government has a duty to protect the human rights and public safety of all deputies serving in the legislature, even those with different political beliefs.”
Amsterdam continues: “We intend to file for emergency protective measures before the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations, and other international bodies to compel the Office of the President to halt their intimidation of Dmytruk and others.”
In addition to Deputy Dmytruk, Amsterdam & Partners LLP represents the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The firm’s founding partner has also represented numerous international parliamentarians facing threats to their physical safety, including cases in Uganda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
Amsterdam & Partners LLP is an international law firm with offices in London and Washington DC. More information is available at www.amsterdamandpartners.com.
