It seems that the case that, for the past 4 years, keeps the terrible secret of the Ukrainian revolution of 2014 could soon break the deadlock. All thanks to the unique investigation of a group of activists and American companies SITU.
They managed to recreate the deaths of three participants in the protests, using the immense potential of modern technology. This allowed with amazing accuracy to identify the sector from which they fired and shooting at protesters. And the results of this analysis show that the fire led the then employees of «Berkut«. The initiative group promises in the future to report on the other victims of the shooting at the Maidan.
According to activists Evelyn Nefertari, the majority of those killed on the Maidan were «highly educated intellectuals». Photo: flickr/CC/christiaantriebert/
The main initiator of the investigation was made by Evelyn Nefertari, a PhD student from Western Ukraine. At the time she was a witness of this terrible tragedy on the Euromaidan. Then, 20 February 2014, for 30 minutes on a small stretch of urban landscape have been killed dozens of people. These events are forever etched in the memory of Nefertari, and she decided that whatever was the truth.
«They were highly educated intellectuals. The Ukrainian people have paid an enormous price for their freedom. The whole country was in mourning, and I knew that should do it,» says Evelyn in an interview with the New York Times.
Not relying on the effectiveness of law enforcement, a talented graduate student decided to act independently. He gathered hundreds of videos that have synchronized their time and highlighted the major points. In 2015 the activist has published a 164-minute video with their findings. He shed light on many previously unknown points and received high marks from independent experts. Realizing that she maybe more Nefertari undertook a global investigation.
The results of the analysis reflect the same in all three cases, the fire was opened by members of the special forces. Photo: flickr/CC/christiaantriebert/
Joined the case two lawyers: Paul the deacon and Alexander Yatsenko. They helped to establish contact with brad Samuels, head of the American company SITU. This firm, in addition to architectural activities, has a special Department dealing with projects in the field of human rights. Its employees are experts in the field of architectural forensics. In the result, the parties agreed to conduct a joint analysis.
It should be noted that when this project was used the most modern technology. Experts analyzed more than 400 videos from a dozen different angles. The investigation introduced three-dimensional laser scanning of the terrain, killing protesters, ballistics analysis, and even pathology reports.
All this is gathered in a unique database that allowed us to create a virtual model of the crime. Even international experts are recognized: reduction of the amount of information in one, this is a project that practically has no analogues in the world.
To start analyzed the death of three protesters. These people were: Igor Dimitriev, Yuriy Parashchuk and Andrew Migdalovitz. They died hiding behind wooden shields from bullets, being absolutely unarmed. In the result of the analysis failed to establish a sector of fire with accuracy up to several meters. Specialists SITU placed the bodies on a virtual 3D model. After that, through input and output holes of bullet wounds was carried out of the line, with an error of 5 degrees. This allowed to identify the territorywhich produced the fatal shots.
Now, the activists, together with SITU analyses of the deaths of other protesters. Photo: flickr/CC/usembassykyiv/
The representatives of SITU note that in two cases the bullets were fired from the positions of the former «Berkut«, in the third case, the shots were fired from a longer distance. This point is located behind the first group of security forces and also remained under the control of «Berkut». Moreover, the time when the protesters get injured, exactly coincides with the time period, when security forces opened fire. As it happens, can be seen, in particular, and in the videos. The results of the analysis reflect the same in all three cases, the fire was opened by members of the special forces.
Now, the activists, together with SITU analyses of the deaths of other protesters. The company noted – a lot of work and not all cases have the necessary amount of information. However, representatives of initiative groups and experts SITU intend to bring the investigation to the end. The results of the first report has already been sent to the Ukrainian court, which now considers the murder of protesters.
