The Department for investigation of crimes related to use of prohibited means and methods of warfare of the Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation against a citizen of Ukraine Yuri Romanenko suspected of crimes under part 4 of article 33 and paragraphs “a” and “b” of part 2 of article 105, part 1 of article 282 of the RF Penal Code (solicitation to a murder, fomentation of hatred or enmity).
In early April 2015, Ukrainian political analyst Romanenko visited a conference at Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) where he publicly stated that “Armed forces of Ukraine have to selectively and thoroughly kill Russian journalists who are covering events in the southeast of Ukraine”. Later, on 5 April 2015, Romanenko posted the text of his speech on his Facebook page entitling it “How we discussed Ukraine at Harvard”. The text was also published by the media. Investigators believe that the statement contains destructive calls urging officials of the Ukrainian army to commit mass murders of Russian journalists due to their professional activity. The Romanenko’s statement also contains calls inciting hatred and enmity towards Russian journalists as a social group.
Under part 3 of article 12 of the RF Penal Code foreign citizens who do not reside in the Russian Federation, who have committed a crime outside the Russian Federation are liable to punishment in accordance with the RF Penal Code if the crime was directed against interests of the Russian Federation or citizens of the Russian Federation. This is why the Russia’s Investigative Committee opened the criminal case against Ukrainian Romanenko.
Head of Media Relations V.I. Markin
PDF version 
DOC version
