Anna Starostenko announced a criminal proceeding against the head of the Desnianskyi DSA Maksym Bakhmatov

Anna Starostenko announced a criminal proceeding against the head of the Desnianskyi DSA Maksym Bakhmatov

The statement by Kyiv City Council deputy Anna Starostenko to the police has turned into a criminal case against the head of the Desnianskyi District State Administration.

This is reported by Informator.

The criminal case against Maksym Bakhmatov, the "overseer" of Kyiv’s Troyeshchyna, became the latest twist in the scandal that recently shocked Kyiv. The disgraceful public altercation, during which he forcibly removed the Kyiv City Council deputy and Klitschko’s deputy Anna Starostenko from the podium, caused a wave of outrage and discussion on social media. The situation has now moved beyond a political or personal conflict and involves criminal responsibility.

The National Police have opened a criminal case under Article 351 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – obstruction of a deputy’s activities. This was reported on her Facebook page by the victim herself, deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration Anna Starostenko. She emphasized: this is not a personal dispute, but a matter of respect for institutions and zero tolerance for violence in politics.

"This is unacceptable for a government representative and dangerous as a precedent. At public events, only one force should be at play - the force of law. I expect an objective investigation from the National Police and public apologies," the deputy noted.

The incident occurred on August 27 at the Desnianskyi District State Administration premises. During the presentation of the report by the head of the administration, Maksym Bakhmatov, Anna Starostenko attempted to approach the microphone with a remark. In response, the head of Troieshchyna publicly prevented her from speaking, used physical force by grabbing her hands, and pushed her away from the podium. During the conflict, he repeatedly stated that he was a "representative of the president."

These actions triggered a sharp reaction not only on social media but also in the political sphere. People’s Deputy Iryna Herashchenko, along with her colleagues, appealed to Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko, the head of the National Police, the Prosecutor General, and the head of the National Agency of Civil Service. They demand not only public apologies but the dismissal of Bakhmatov and holding him accountable. According to Herashchenko, the official’s actions are not only a criminal offense but also a disgraceful violation of civil service ethics.

"The behavior of this ’representative of the president’ shocks all normal people. He not only did not apologize but the next day was giving out comments, boasting of his impunity," emphasized the people’s deputy.

The parliamentary inter-factional association "Equal Opportunities" in the Verkhovna Rada also publicly supported Anna Starostenko. Female colleagues urge other deputies to join the demand for the official’s dismissal. Bakhmatov, who is a very popular figure in Kyiv, has not yet publicly commented on the opening of the criminal case against him. The article’s sanction provides for a penalty in the form of a fine ranging from 17,000 to 34,000 UAH, probation supervision for up to three years, or restriction of liberty for the same period.