The Supreme Court dismissed the claim of people’s deputy Gorabets against Irina Fedoriv
The Supreme Court stated that the claim of people’s deputy Alexander Gorabets against the chairman of the public initiative 'Holka' Irina Fedoriv is insignificant and denied the opening of a new judicial proceeding. This is reported by 'Glavkom', citing the official website of the team uniting representatives from various sectors of the public.
The Irpin city court decided that Fedoriv and the publication 'Ukrainian Truth' must pay a court fee to Gorabets of nearly 7,000 UAH, spend another 55,200 UAH on his legal services, and over 18,000 UAH on a judicial linguistic examination. However, the Kiev appellate court canceled the local court's decision and dismissed the people’s deputy’s claim.
Expertise and SLAPP lawsuits
«There are no eggs» – this phrase was one of those analyzed by experts, who explained to Gorabets that «...the address to a man with the construction of no eggs characterizes him as someone who lacks male strength, resilience, and willpower».
Irina Fedoriv believes that the lawsuits filed against her by deputy Gorabets and former mayor Vladimir Karplyuk are actually so-called SLAPP actions, meaning strategic lawsuits against public participation.
These lawsuits are intended for pressure and intimidation. Fedoriv emphasizes that she appealed to the Commission on Journalistic Ethics but did not receive adequate support on this issue. The chairwoman of the public initiative 'Holka' hopes that the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, will be objective in this crucial matter.
Representation and support in court
In court, the people's deputy was represented by lawyer and Irpin council deputy Yana Gorodok ('Servant of the People'). Fedoriv was provided legal support by lawyer Yuri Melnyk as part of the 'Own People' project, Bihus.info. The human rights center ZMINA also assisted.
In April, people's deputy Alexander Gorabets filed a lawsuit against public activist and editor of the public movement 'Chesno' Irina Fedoriv due to her statements in a blog. Despite the court's decision, Fedoriv continues her active public activities.
The Supreme Court's refusal court decision confirmed the objectivity and impartiality in the case of Gorabets and Fedoriv. The lawsuits are viewed as SLAPP actions aimed at pressuring activists and media figures and hope for further adherence to justice in the Ukrainian judicial process.