Arsen Avakov either deliberately abuses his official duties and power by distributing weapons, or simply does not understand the essence of his powers.
This opinion was expressed by the lawyer, lawyer of the Ukrainian Association of Gun Owners Vitaliy Kolomiyets on the air of the program “First things first. Comments” on ZIK TV channel.
The day before, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arseniy Avakov published a list of those whom he awarded with weapons. According to him, he awarded 1322 people with weapons. Instead, the expert is convinced that much more weapons were distributed.
“When the figures of the departments do not coincide, and there is no unity of information provided by law enforcement agencies, it is difficult to believe such data. Therefore, I suspect that in fact more weapons were illegally donated than Arsen Avakov says,” said Vitaliy Kolomiets.
The human rights activist emphasizes that Ukraine must first adopt appropriate legislation on the right to use weapons by all citizens, and only then distribute weapons to civilians.
“The right to equal self-defense and access to means of self-defense must be guaranteed to all citizens of Ukraine regardless of the will and desire of individual ministers. There are indeed worthy officers and servicemen among the list provided by Avakov. It is logical to award the military with such awards. However, if he awards civilians and officials who have nothing to do with the service, it is a gift, that is, ordinary corruption in the sense of official relations,” explains Vitaliy Kolomiyets, lawyer of the Ukrainian Gun Owners Association.
Therefore, Arsen Avakov either deliberately abuses his official duties and power, or simply does not understand the essence of his powers.
“The Ministry and Avakov refer to two laws in their orders on award weapons. These are the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and the Disciplinary Statute of the Internal Affairs of Ukraine (IAA). In particular, the Statute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs gives the Minister the right to award only the senior staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Instead, the Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine gives the right to award persons who are subject to the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and these are the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine,” the lawyer comments.
That is, in each case, the expert adds, when Arsen Avakov issued weapons to civilians, he violated the law. In particular, in the case of MP Serhiy Pashynsky, who used a firearm against an unarmed man, Minister Avakov should be a co-defendant in this offense, the expert noted.