Karas: Excluding journalists from Duka case hearings hinders investigation

SAO Prosecutor's assessment of court actions

Prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office Mykola Karas expressed his position regarding the restriction of media access to procedural actions in the criminal proceedings against SBU General Serhiy Duka. According to the prosecutor, he considers the decision to exclude journalists from the courtroom an obstruction to the criminal proceedings.

In addition, Karas noted that the defence of the suspect is taking measures aimed at delaying the consideration of the case, despite the fact that a limited timeframe of 72 hours has been allocated for this process.

Circumstances of the access restriction

Journalists were not allowed into the session of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) due to the receipt of a letter from a special service stating that there was an alleged threat of a terrorist attack. Meanwhile, it is noted that the SAO prosecutor was denied the opportunity to review this document.

Court reaction and suspect's position

The HACC press service promised to clarify the circumstances that caused the restriction of press access. A court representative emphasised that she had only arrived at the scene and does not yet have detailed information about the motives behind the decision taken.

Serhiy Duka himself appeared in the HACC courtroom during the consideration of the "Carthage" case. Journalists attempted to obtain a comment from the general regarding the notification of suspicion served on him, as well as to comment on the facts of obstructing searches conducted by NABU detectives and the destruction of mobile phones. However, the suspect did not answer the questions from media representatives.