Ukrainian soldier Vitaliy Markiv has arrived back in Kyiv after the Milan Court of Appeals overturned his 24-year prison sentence for alleged involvement in the 2014 killing of an Italian journalist and his translator in Donbas.
Markiv landed on the airfield of Ukraine’s National Guard in Kyiv around 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 4, accompanied by Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova and Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov.
He was greeted by his wife, Diana Markiv, and his fellow soldiers after spending 3 years and 4 months in prison on a false verdict.
“I made myself a promise that I wouldn’t give up, not only for myself, but for the sake of all those heroes who gave their lives and who are still fighting for the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” Markiv said during a briefing broadcast by RFE/RL.
Markiv was arrested in June 2017 on suspicion of killing Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian interpreter Andrey Mironov, who both died from mortar shelling during Russia’s war in Donbas. After more than a year-long investigation, Markiv was found guilty of involvement in the murder and was sentenced to 24 years in prison.
“This was the villainy of propaganda and disinformation, which had the goal of disgracing not only the integrity, honesty and dignity of Ukraine, but of all our people,” Markiv said.
Journalists, as well as an internal investigation conducted by Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, repeatedly demonstrated that the accusations against the soldier were weak.
According to William Rogelon, a French reporter who survived the shelling, when he yelled that the group were journalists while hiding in a ditch, the firing immediately stopped. It has been established that Markiv was on the Karachun mountain at the time of the incident, which is nearly 2 kilometers away from the scene. Thus, Markiv was too far away to react to the shouting.
Furthermore, Rogelon claimed that he saw Russian militants in the area. Markiv’s lawyer, Raffael Della Valle, repeatedly said in court that it is very likely that it was Russian or Russian-backed militants who killed Rocchelli and Mironov.
The appeal started on Sept. 29 and, after 4 hearings, the Milan Court of Appeals overturned his conviction on Nov. 3.
After returning in Kyiv on Nov. 4, Vitaliy Markiv records a selfie video for his mother, who lives in Italy. “Mother, I’m home!” he says in it.
Markiv said that he is still unsure whether he will receive any compensation from Italy for the 3 years he spent in prison on false charges. He is waiting to receive the entire text of the ruling to be published. He also wants to finally see justice in the case.
“Those who tried to disgrace not only the honor of the Ukrainian military, but the Ukrainian people, have to be held responsible,” said Markiv.
He is now planning to return to the ranks of the National Guard and continue protecting Ukraine.
“Truth exists and it always wins.”
