Belarusian journalist Ina Kardash is expected to go on trial in Kyiv in late September. She is accused of espionage. A judge has finally been assigned to the Kardash case. This was reported by Radio Svaboda.
Previously, Kyiv’s Podilskyi and Shevchenkivskyi district courts were unable to begin hearing the case because of the large amount of material classified as “secret.” To hear such cases, a judge must have the appropriate security clearance.
Eventually, the Pecherskyi District Court managed to appoint a judge. The proceedings will be handled by Oleh Soloviov. He previously worked in Mariupol.
The first hearing has been scheduled for September 21. The court will consider the indictment at that hearing. The judge must find it substantiated and compliant with Ukrainian law before the case can proceed to a substantive hearing. At this stage, the judge may even dismiss the case. If he finds that the indictment meets the legal requirements, a date for the trial will be set.
For now, Ina Kardash remains in custody until October 11. The court has extended her pretrial detention until that date.
