FREEDOM FOR YURIY KHORT!

On March 1 Vinnitsa City Court delivered its verdict to Yuriy "Khort" Pavlenko, a social activist, who has torn Petro Poroshenko's portrait and called him an anti-Ukrainian president during a protest action in Vinnitsa Regional State Administration in 2014.

As was reported by local media Pavlenko is charged under the article 256 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (disorderly conduct). The judge Irina Kurbatova found the activist's guilty and sentenced him to 4 years and 6 months in prison. However, according to Pavlenko's attorney the activist has to be released in a year according to Savchenko's law.

The verdict caused a wave of indignation among activists, who came to support their comrade. The courtroom literally exploded with numerous shouts "Shame! Disgrace!" when the verdict was announced. Yuriy Pavlenko's attorneys have already said they will appeal the court decision.

Yuriy "Khort" Pavlenko is charged with participation in mass protest actions at Vinnitsa Regional State Administration on the 6th December 2014б caused by presence of representatives of so-called "Yanukovych's clan" in the regional government institutions. During the protest action Yuriy Hort publicly accused the president of reneging on his campaign promises and torn his portrait.  

Few days later, on Dec. 8 Yuriy was kidnapped by employees of police in civilian clothes and delivered at Investigation Department of Internal Affairs in the Vinnytsia region, where he was charged on the 1st part of the 294th article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (organization of mass unrest).