Photo: Ihor Florko
War veteran Ihor Florko is on trial for fighting the spread of illegal communist symbols. On 31 October, the man saw several vendors selling banned Soviet symbols while he was walking through the outdoor market of used books, located near the monument to Ivan Fedorov, the famed 16th century Slavic printer.
Every day, in nearly all weather except heavy rain or snow, a community of vendors, most of them elderly, lay out books, vinyl records, trinkets, and old military garb, on tarps or blankets in this small plaza. Sometimes Soviet items and even copies of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kempf are on display.
Ihor Florko, a veteran of the recent fighting against Russian-backed separatists in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, saw a vendor displaying some Soviet paraphernalia and Florko allegedly suggested the vendor throw these things in the dumpster. A row ensued. In turn at least one of the sellers became aggressive, and Florko used a gas spray.
Florko’s efforts to rid the market of Soviet materials began 14 October, the Day of Defenders and Defendresses of Ukraine, war veteran Ihor Florko was passing through the market with friends.
«Our attention was drawn,» Florko told us, «to one of the [vendors], where 90% of all the symbols sold were communist badges and awards, in particular, «sickles and hammers», «Lenin», and some awards with St. George’s ribbons.
«I say to the seller: ‘Friend, you understand that all this is illegal. Come on, we’re going to collect all this junk now and throw it in the trash so as not to provoke the spread of banned Soviet symbols,’ to which he immediately agreed. We probably selected single badges for 40 minutes, because there is a difference between what is forbidden and what is not,» – the veteran says.
Read also: Soviet monument at the Field of Mars dismantled
When another seller was offered this option, he refused, started making noise, so someone called the police who drew up report. A few days later, Ihor adds, he initiated a similar «inspection» at the Vernissage market, where two more violating sellers were caught. The Vernissage is more elaborate than the Fedorov printers market–with stalls selling handmade crafts.
But the culmination was the situation that took place 31 October.
«My friends and I passed the market near Fedorov again,» Florko told us, «and saw that life does not teach people anything. However, the symbols were already noticed in other sellers, not in those on which the protocols were drawn up. Although they understood what was threatening their comrades, they still traded in this production.
«I approached one of them and offered to throw it all in the trash – he agreed. He approached another vendor, who also did not mind. I took these few badges, which fit in one hand, and decided to approach the third man, who I thought would also agree, then I would throw them all in the trash, which was a little further. When I approached the seller, his reaction was inadequate, and he did not want to have a dialogue,» – Ihor Florko narrates.
The veteran says the salesman ran up to him and started slapping his hand. When the guy tried to escape, suddenly an unknown man appeared and hit Ihor then kicked him in his groin, which caused the veteran to fall to the ground and lose consciousness for several seconds. During this time, a crowd of vendors had already gathered around him, none of whom offered to help while the man was lying on the ground. In the hands of one unknown man, Ihor Florko noticed a belt with a massive metal buckle. Realizing that there was a potential danger, he took a gas spray and used it in the direction of the attackers.
As a result of the conflict, the war veteran is charged with Part 4 of Article 296, namely committing hooliganism with the use of another object, specially adapted and prepared in advance. On this occasion, the man’s home was searched and his clothes and gas spray were confiscated.
In addition, in his statement, the seller accuses the military veteran of stealing some antiques. In particular, these are coins of 1992, worth 8,000 UAH each, an expensive ruble (main currency of the Soviet times), as well as a valuable coat of arms of Ukraine, which is decorated with a yellow and blue ribbon. Ihor Florko calls such accusations funny and cynical on their part. However, he hopes for a fair investigation and prosecution of violators.
«The problem is not what happened to me, but actually the spread of banned communist symbols. I want that more people do not pass by, but take a look and call the police, understanding that they can influence the situation which is happening in Lviv. It is unpleasant to come home after 5 years of participation in war and see that there are several «islands» of such independence, for which the laws of Ukraine do not apply, where people can afford to trade in these forbidden bloody symbols,» – war veteran Ihor Florko explains.
A pre-trial investigation is underway in the case against the combatant, and the Lychakiv District Court had to impose a precautionary measure on Ihor Florko yesterday, November 9, but there is still no info about the decision.
If convicted, war veteran Igor Florka faces a fine of 17,000 to 34,000 UAH ($650 to $1300) or up to five years in prison.
The judge is still deciding on the measure of restriction for the participant of hostilities Ihor Florko.
Reference
It should be noted that Part 1 of Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine «On Condemnation of Communist and National Socialist (Nazi) Totalitarian Regimes in Ukraine and Prohibition of Propaganda of Their Symbols» prohibits the production, distribution and public use of symbols of the communist totalitarian regime, symbols of National Socialist) totalitarian regime, including in the form of souvenirs, public performance of the anthems of the USSR, USSR (USSR), other union and autonomous Soviet republics or their fragments.
In Ukraine, the law prohibits:
- coats of arms and flags of the USSR, USSR, other countries with communist regimes that existed in the past;
- sickle and hammer, as well as sickle and hammer in relation to the pentagonal star;
- the anthem of the USSR, as well as the anthems of the Soviet republics;
- symbols of the communist party;
- communist slogans and quotes from Soviet leaders;
- monuments and images of party and Soviet leaders, starting with the secretary of the district committee;
- St. George’s ribbon – a symbol of anti-Ukrainian activity;
- symbol of fascism, forbidden paraphernalia, symbols, printed or audiovisual materials about Nazism;
- images of leaders of the fascist movement, etc.
Julia Osim
Photo by Ihor Florko
Translated by Vitalii Holich and Joe Lindsley
You can read a Ukrainian language version of this story here.
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