MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. The arrest of former commander of Ukraine's Aidar volunteer battalion Valentin Likholit should become beginning of fight against impunity in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law Konstantin Dolgov told TASS on Saturday.
"If only this information is confirmed, as till now all the crimes committed by the ultra-nationalists (and Aidar is a purely neo-Nazi formation) have remained absolutely without punishments, and the Ukrainian authorities did not find political will, courage to put an end to this lawlessness, if only it is possible now to begin investigation and to bring to responsibility all those involved in those grave crimes against civilians," he said. "Aidar’s arms are deep in blood of civilians: children, women, the elderly. Those are the only against who they know how to fight."
Moscow hopes the Ukrainian justice "will rewards according to merit this criminal, and he would not escape responsibility like other military criminals managed."
"If a sentence happens and if it is adequately severe, it could be the first step towards development of realistic fighting against impunity in Ukraine," the diplomat said. "This is what many international organizations, human rights activists have been expecing from Ukraine for quite a time. As yet, it is difficult to make any conclusions, as this news is only first coming reports."
"Of course, we shall watch closely how this situation develops and once again we are telling the Kiev authorities they should put an end impunity," he said. "Fighting impunity is an unavoidable way towards restoration of at least minimum national accord and peace in that contradiction-worn country, which has been pushed by neo-Nazis into a legal deadlock."
"Now, everything is in hands of the Ukrainian judges: whether to take the trend for fighting impunity or to allow its booming," he said.