Explosion in Kyiv court injures several law enforcement officers, kills perpetrator

An explosion rocked the Shevchenkivskyi court in central Kyiv on Wednesday after a man threw an explosive device while he was inside the building, the Ukrainian General Prosecutor’s Office reported.

The perpetrator was killed in the blast, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote. Two law enforcement officers received injuries. Police, bomb squads, and K9 units are currently at the scene.

The media outlet Hraty writes citing judge Iryna Frolova that the man in question was Sich Battalion fighter Ihor Humenyuk, who had been charged with blowing up a grenade next to the building of the Ukrainian Parliament back in 2015, killing three members of the National Guard and injuring over 140 people. In today’s hearing the court was to extend Humenyuk’s detention.

His lawyer told Hraty that Humenyuk had asked to be released in order to go to the frontline but was denied the request.

News outlet Strana writes citing Ihor Klymenko that after the court hearing Humenyuk locked himself in one of the restrooms, opened the door, and flung the explosive devices. Thereafter he attempted to flee the court building but was stopped by a convoy. He then barricaded himself inside a room and threw another explosive device against the officers.

It is yet unclear how Humenyuk, who had been under arrest, managed to smuggle explosives into the court building.