Folks do you recall the story of Olaolu Femi that I shared with you all August of last year? Femi is a Nigerian student studying in Ukraine who was a victim of a hate crime in Ukraine. He fought back against his attackers, (5) of them, in self defense. The police showed up during the attack and arrested the black/Nigerian/African guy charging him with attempted murder of the five Ukrainians. Worse they have detained him for over a year without due process citing an inability to have a court interpreter. The case gathered a lot of attention and many Nigerians have been calling for justice for Femi.
Yesterday, he was in court on a motion hearing and the court ruled in his favor for his release. He heads back to court on May 7th, 2013. Read the news shared on the dedicated facebook website following his case.
“Sunkanmi Olaolu Nigerian Femi on Wednesday, 17 April, following the conclusion of the month was released from custody in the courtroom. To recap: Lugansk public prosecutor presents Femi assaulting with intent to kill in the company of young people. The charges, according to human rights activists, are not credible. The Court listened to arguments of a number of public organizations and Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for human rights, and decided to change the measure of restraint from the defendant in PRE-TRIAL detention at the release on bail of the Ukrainian youth public organization “Foundation of regional initiatives”.
Motions for changing the punishment lasted from the beginning of March this year. The Leninsky Court of Lugansk 4 this required meetings, which had four interpreters. Lawyers Femi Lyudmila Gavrish and Andrey Minayev petitioned for the release of the defendant on his own recognizance, and 10 public organizations of Ukraine and Russia have offered to release under its sponsorship. Femi The trial Chamber considered three of the applications received so far, and one of them is satisfied with the Foundation of regional initiatives, supported by the Ombudsman. The Court took this decision based on defendant’s rights and time savings, as well as citing the length and complexity of the process.
So, today was an important step towards the restoration of Justice in the Olaolu Femi-release of significantly reducing opportunities to put pressure on the Prosecutor’s Office of the defendant. However, human rights activists and organizations, there is still long and laborious work, which should be the withdrawal of all allegations and Femi to prosecute those involved in rigging the investigation materials.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 7.
The “justice for Olaolu”Photo by Yvette and Eugenia Kuzmina Loudmouth”
-Uduak