Neo-Nazi Sternenko, defended by Odessa governor, kills alleged assailant

According to the sources of TIMER in law enforcement agencies, both men have a certain criminal background: they were activists of one of the semi-criminal structures (headed by a certain Alexander P.), participating in various criminal trials, including wearing masks for various “patriotic actions.” On this basis, our sources believe that the statements of Sternenko that the men attacked him on somebody’s order may be true.

The investigation has now officially established that the injuries to all three participants in the clash were caused by the same weapon. In a video published by Sternenko immediately after the events, he confirms that the knife belonged to him (i.e., the attackers were unarmed). Subsequently, Sternenko removed the video and now denies that the knife was his: he claims that during the fight he took it from one of the attackers. The police are skeptical of these statements.

However, even if the knife belonged to Sternenko, it could still be said that the murder took place within the framework of self-defense, even without exceeding the limits of this: The Criminal Code of Ukraine gives citizens the right to use weapons in case they were attacked by a group of persons.

Sternenko’s main problem is different. According to preliminary information, based on the inspection of the scene and the nature of the wounds received by the victims, Sternenko inflicted a fatal wound to the dead man after both attackers fled. The fact that Sternenko rushed in pursuit of one of the assailants is confirmed by his girlfriend on the remote video, and the same is said by witnesses interviewed by the police. Moreover, the nature of the wounds found on the body of the deceased, is such that with them, in principle, he could not escape. And this means that these injuries were incurred after the flight — in a situation that precludes the interpretation of what happened as self-defense on the part of Sternenko.

In other words, the actions of Sternenko during the first part of the events as a whole fit within the scope of the Criminal Code. However, by rushing after in pursuit of the assailant and finishing him off, Sternenko still committed a serious crime.

According to TIMER, the police and the prosecutor’s office, as of the morning of May 25, came to the conclusion that Sternenko should be suspected of a murder. However, given the political context of the situation, law enforcement officers do not dare to take such a decision without consent of higher authorities.

TIMER is closely following the developments.

According to him, in Odessa he simply could not receive appropriate treatment: in particular, Sternenko claims that he was refused medical care at the Jewish hospital, so he had to go to one of the capital’s clinics.

Sternenko claims that Kiev doctors diagnosed him with a lot of problems with his wounded hand, which will require long treatment. In general, the activist does not seem to be returning to Odessa in the near future.