The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Ukraine responsible for the attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk, who died as a result of the injuries sustained in 2018. The Court established a violation of the right to life, in particular due to ineffective investigation of the crime, and also of the right to freedom of expression.

The relevant judgment in the case of Gandzyuk and Others v. Ukraine (no. 52380/21) was published by the ECHR on 5 November 2026. All seven judges of the Chamber supported the conclusion of a violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Court established that the attack on Handziuk was a premeditated and paid crime, the purpose of which was to silence a public activist who exposed corruption and criticized local authorities.

The ECHR concluded that the available circumstances provided sufficient grounds to establish a close link between the attack and the exercise or abuse of public authority. In the Court's assessment, the actions of the official whom the Ukrainian investigation considers the mastermind of the attack cannot be regarded as purely private conduct detached from his official position.

The Court noted that the circumstances of the case indicated the use of official influence and powers to organize the crime. This was the basis for establishing the State's responsibility for the violation of the right to life under Article 2 of the Convention.

Separately, the ECHR found a violation of the procedural aspect of this article due to shortcomings in the investigation. The Court noted that Ukrainian law enforcement identified the direct perpetrators, organizers and motive of the attack, and also secured convictions. At the same time, the investigation did not sufficiently thoroughly examine the possible involvement of other instigators.

Among the shortcomings, the Court cited problems of coordination between law enforcement agencies and the prolonged absence of tangible progress in certain aspects of the investigation.

The ECHR also found a violation of Article 10 of the Convention, which guarantees freedom of expression. The Court emphasized that the attack was directly linked to the public and anti-corruption activities of Handziuk. The use of violence to suppress criticism of the authorities could intimidate other journalists, activists and members of civil society.

Under the judgment, Ukraine must pay the parents of the activist jointly 40 thousand euros in compensation for non-pecuniary damage, and a further 40 thousand euros to her partner Serhiy Denysov. An additional 4 thousand euros was awarded for costs and expenses.

Kateryna Handziuk was doused with sulfuric acid on 31 July 2018 near her home in Kherson. She died on 4 November of the same year from complications arising from the chemical burns.

In June 2023, the Dniprovskyi District Court of Kyiv sentenced two organizers of the attack to ten years in prison. According to information from the ECHR, as of 5 November 2026, the appeal proceedings in that case were still pending.

The ECHR judgment is not yet final. Within three months, the parties may request that the case be referred to the Grand Chamber of the Court. Once the judgment becomes final, its implementation will be monitored by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Sources: European Court of Human Rights, Judiciary of Ukraine