The last death sentence in Ukraine

September 10, 1999, Uzhhorod.

A story about the last death sentence in Ukraine, handed down by the Transcarpathian court to pastor Yaroslav Mysiak. On the video: Transcarpathian Regional Court, courtroom, Yaroslav Mysiak in the dock, people in the audience, announcement of the verdict, speech of the accused, convoy.

Reference: Yaroslav Mysiak is a pastor who was sentenced to death by firing squad, but later his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Yaroslav was born into a Christian family on August 4, 1974, received the appropriate education to lead a youth worship service in the Transcarpathian region.

On October 18, 1999, the Zakarpattia Regional Court sentenced Yaroslav Mysiak to the death penalty for the murder of his grandparents and uncle. There is no evidence of guilt in the case file, apart from confessions. According to defense lawyer Yuriy Vakula: "The verdict is based on assumptions and fabricated evidence, on confessions obtained as a result of threats of violence against him and his family, inhuman treatment, threats, and pressure. The conclusions of the experts do not correspond to the actual circumstances of the case and are not supported by the evidence examined in the court hearing."

This is the last death sentence to be passed in independent Ukraine. However, at the time, the country already had a moratorium on the death penalty, and the sentence was not carried out. In 2000, the death penalty was finally abolished, and life imprisonment became the highest penalty. Yaroslav Mysiak was sentenced to life imprisonment.