Blind Man Detained by Patrol Officers in Chernivtsi and Taken to Military Recruitment Center

Incident Involving Artem in Chernivtsi

According to Главком: On June 27, patrol police in Chernivtsi detained a 40-year-old blind man named Artem, who has a first-group disability and suffers from a severe neurological condition that leaves him largely unable to speak. He lost his sight due to a shell explosion in the occupied town of Oleshky. The incident occurred outside the 'Kopiyochka' store on Holovna Street, where his mother had left him sitting on a windowsill near the entrance.

After discovering Artem was missing, his mother called the police. His whereabouts were determined using surveillance cameras. Patrol officers placed Artem in a service vehicle and transported him to the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCC). Following a check at the TCC, the officers drove Artem to the opposite end of the city and left him on a bench. Artem’s mother, who is also an internally displaced person from Oleshky, was brought to her son by a different police crew.

Artem does not own a mobile phone, making communication with him difficult. The night after the incident, he experienced a panic attack. The patrol officers were on duty alongside TCC military personnel. At the TCC, Artem’s identity was confirmed, and it was verified that he is unfit for military service according to a military medical commission decision.

Public and Organizational Response

In response to this incident, police leadership has initiated an internal investigation into the officers’ actions. The public organization 'Chernivtsi Society of People with Disabilities 'Mriya',' led by Lyubov Sviridenko, has filed an official complaint with law enforcement authorities. The organization is demanding the opening of a criminal case regarding the patrol officers’ conduct.

This case has sparked public outrage, particularly amid recent events involving territorial recruitment centers. The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has sent a case to court concerning the torture of a man at a TCC in Mykolaiv region, and also uncovered a scheme of illegal coercion into mobilization in Odesa region, where nine group members were detained.

The Patrol Police Department of Chernivtsi Region is continuing its investigation into the incident, which has drawn widespread attention from the public and human rights activists.

This incident underscores the importance of upholding the rights of people with disabilities, especially during wartime.

The situation surrounding Artem highlights the critical need to ensure protection and support for the most vulnerable segments of the population. The response from law enforcement and civil society organizations reflects a growing awareness of human rights in Ukraine and the necessity of safeguarding them.

This incident raises significant concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals by law enforcement. Similar issues have come to light recently, such as the case involving a father of five who was tortured, which has now been sent to court by the State Bureau of Investigation. To understand the broader implications of these troubling events, read more about the judicial proceedings in this related case here.