04 November 2025
(Sergei Shalaev in the courtroom. PHOTO: Suspilne Odesa)
During the court hearing on November 3, 46-year-old Serhiy Shalaev, accused of the murder of Demian Hanul , addressed the relatives of the victim, apologized and stated that he had been misled about the activist's identity.
At the court hearing, the lawyer stated that the suspect, Serhiy Shalaev, was psychologically vulnerable at the time of the murder, as he was a former military man, Suspilne reported.
"If I had known what kind of person Demian was at the time, I would have directed the weapons they provided at those customers. I realize that there is no forgiveness for me, and there is no forgiveness for my crime either. Zhanna Yurievna, Vadim Mikhailovich, forgive me," he said.
The murder of the Odesa activist took place on March 14 in the Prymorsky district of Odesa. The man who shot Demian Hanul fled the scene. Within hours, police detained the suspect, 46-year-old Serhiy Shalaev, a former senior lieutenant.
However, the relatives of the victim continue to insist on life imprisonment for Shalaev and do not believe in his repentance.
"Of course I don't believe it. The only thing he has to do is talk about his remorse. He had enough time, he started planning this crime back in December 2024, and in February 20225 he came to Odesa to execute it. I think this is a way to reduce the punishment," said Zhanna Voznyuk, the wife of the murdered Demian Hanul.
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.
Demian's father, Vadym Hanul, also does not believe the suspect's apology. He noted that, in his opinion, the military has a keen sense of justice, and it is impossible to mislead a person who knows what a fellow soldier is. The investigation has not yet identified the orderers of the murder.
Earlier, a court in Odesa sentenced the organizer of the murder of two civil society activists. The accused pleaded guilty and agreed to a simplified trial. Gennadiy Beibutyan and Demyan Hanul. The court sentenced the defendant to 14 years in prison with confiscation of property.
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