On November 20, 2019, Ukraine filed an appeal against the decision of the Pavia City Court of July 12, 2019 to adjudge serviceman of the National Guard of Ukraine Vitalii Markiv guilty of the murder of Italian journalist Andrea Rocchelli and sentence him to 24 years in prison. An appeal is expected to be heard by the Lombardy Court of Appeal in the spring of 2020.
Ukraine is deeply disappointed with the verdict of the Pavia City Court, which bewilders with unfairness and violation of the fundamental legal principles on which Vitalii Markiv was convicted. In addition, Ukraine considers the acceptance of a civil claim against Ukraine in the national court of the Italian Republic a violation of the principles of international law, in particular the jurisdictional immunity of the state, which is based on the sovereignty and equality of states.
The State of Ukraine expresses willingness to apply all legal means to ensure justice for Vitalii Markiv and hopes that the Italian Republic will remain steadfast in respecting the rule of law.