Jan. 22, 2026, 4:02 p.m.
(PHOTO: Yulia Khimerik/Intent)
In Odesa, a man suspected of murdering local activist Demian Hanul was left in custody. The court extended the detention due to the risk of escape and influence on the investigation.
This was reported by Intent correspondent Yulia Khymerik.
<span>Today, on January 22, the Prymorskyi District Court of Odesa held a hearing in the case of Senior Lieutenant Serhii Shalaev, who is accused of the murder of activist Demian Hanul, unauthorized leaving the unit and illegal handling of weapons. </span>
<span>The prosecutor asked to extend the measure of restraint in the form of detention. For today's hearing, the court's composition was temporarily changed because the presiding judge was ill. Therefore, it was not possible to interrogate the accused. </span>
<span>Only an urgent issue was considered. The prosecutor requested to extend the measure of restraint in the form of detention without bail. She emphasized that the accused tried to escape from the crime scene and did not cooperate with the investigation. </span>
Demian Hanul, who was 31 years old, was a well-known public figure, blogger and leader of the Street Front organization. In 2014-2016, he was the head of the Right Sector's power unit in Odesa. Hanul took an active part in the Revolution of Dignity and the clashes of May 2, 2014, opposing pro-Russian forces.
<span>In her opinion, the risks of fleeing Ukraine, distortion of evidence, and influence on witnesses can only be avoided by applying such a measure of restraint to Shalaev. The lawyer and the accused did not object. Therefore, the judges, after consulting, extended his detention without bail for a period of 60 days - until March 23, 2026.</span>
On March 14, at about 10:30 a.m., the special line 102 received a report that an unknown man had shot a passerby in the Prymorsky district of the city. During a meeting of the Rada, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that Odesa activist Demian Hanul had been killed. Very quickly, a video of the moment of the murder appeared on social media, where an unknown person made a control shot at the activist's head.
Around 4 p.m., the man suspected of killing the activist was detained. A weapon allegedly used in the crime was found in the apartment where he was hiding.
In March, the police reported that they were checking three main versions that could have caused the activist's murder, including the possibility of a crime being ordered by Russian special services.
Also, during the court hearing on November 3, 46-year-old Serhiy Shalaev, accused of the murder of Demian Hanul , addressed the relatives of the murdered man, apologized and stated that he had been misled about the activist's identity.
Юлія Химерик