A Drop Of Justice

KIEV, Ukraine -- More than seven years after the murder of crusading journalist Georgiy Gongadze, a drop of justice has fallen.

The theory that Yushchenko (R) cut a deal during the Orange Revolution with Kuchma (L) to protect him from prosecution appears increasingly plausible.
On March 15, the Kyiv Appellate Court handed out prison sentences of 12 to 13 years each to three police officers convicted for their role in the killing.

While the convictions are a step towards justice in Ukraine, particularly for journalists, they fall far short of bringing closure to a case that Viktor Yushchenko described as a matter of honor for his presidency.

None of those who ordered the slaying have been brought to justice.

Those convicted claim to be unaware of who ordered the murder, saying they were merely following police surveillance chief Oleksiy Pukach’s orders.

Years ago, Pukach was held in custody for his alleged involvement, but vanished after being controversially released.

The Melnychenko tapes reveal the possible direct involvement of top officials, including former President Leonid Kuchma.

Meanwhile, the theory that Yushchenko cut a deal during the Orange Revolution with Kuchma to protect him from prosecution appears increasingly plausible.

Many doubt the prosecutor’s office's ability and desire to crack the case.

Ukraine’s leaders should launch an independent truth commission composed of apolitical legal experts and investigators to bring closure.

With the case so domestically divisive, it makes sense to appoint international experts of impeccable integrity.

Truth commissions have a mixed record (those ordering the murder of US President John F. Kennedy were never revealed), but proved effective in post-Apartheid South Africa.

Source: Kyiv Post