Manher may again head Kherson Regional Council - court

Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky District Court has refused to extend the term of suspension from office for Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manher, a suspect in organizing the murder of activist Kateryna Handziuk.

Judge Natalia Prytula made such a decision on April 15, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Manher said he was pleased with the ruling.

The prosecution requested the extension of Manher's suspension from office. Prosecutors pointed to the risk of pressure on potential witnesses and the need for conducting inquiries and examinations. However, the defense said that Manher's post does not imply the influence on deputies.

The previous term of Manher's suspension from office expired on April 6.

An employee of Kherson City Council, activist Kateryna Handziuk, was attacked with sulfuric acid on July 31, 2018. She sustained chemical burns and partly lost her eyesight. Handziuk underwent over ten operations. She died on November 4.

On February 11, 2019, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said that Manher had been served with a notice of suspicion in organizing Handziuk's murder.

On February 15, Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky District Court chose for Manher the measure of restraint in the form of detention with the possibility of putting up bail of UAH 2.497 million. The bail was posted by his lawyer.

On March 21, Kyiv Court of Appeal upheld the ruling on Manher's suspension from office as chairman of Kherson Regional Council until April 6, 2019.

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