Ihor Kolomoisky has been under arrest since September 2, 2023
The Ukrainian court has refused to grant a request from lawyers representing Ihor Kolomoisky to dismiss a case concerning an alleged murder attempt from 2003. The prosecution opposed this motion, and the victim, Serhiy Karpenko, supported the prosecution’s position during the hearing.
Karpenko, who has been deprived of Ukrainian citizenship and was arrested on September 2, 2023, addressed the court before his testimony, stating, “I am asked why I am returning to this after so many years. The answer is simple: not because I seek revenge. I am a lawyer by training, a former advocate, and I believe in procedure, not retribution.”
During his testimony, Karpenko recounted details of the conflict surrounding the shareholders’ meeting of the Dniprospetsstal company in 2003. He claimed that after the meeting, he was confronted by Kolomoisky and his business partner Mikhail Kipperman, who demanded that the meeting’s legality be acknowledged. According to Karpenko, threats were made against him during this confrontation. He also noted that an employee from his office was attacked, and he himself was violently assaulted shortly thereafter.
The victim’s lawyer confirmed that the case will continue to be examined in court despite the defense’s motion for its closure. The next court session is scheduled for July 15, where further testimony from Karpenko is anticipated.
Contextually, Kolomoisky faces multiple charges, including murder-for-hire, fraud, and money laundering. Reports indicate that he allegedly ordered the murder of the director of a law firm who refused to annul and invalidate decisions made during the shareholders’ meeting. The prosecution has stated that Kolomoisky enlisted members of a gang known for committing serious crimes, which included inflicting harm on competitors. Additionally, Karpenko has filed a civil lawsuit against Kolomoisky for 4.4 billion UAH, approximately $100 million, seeking compensation for moral damages.
