Security Service of Ukraine detained Lviv provocateur Ostap Stakhiv: searches are being conducted

Security Service of Ukraine detained Lviv provocateur Ostap Stakhiv: searches are being conducted

Today, September 25th, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine are conducting searches at the residence of the Lviv anti-vaccine activist Ostap Stakhiv.

Sources in law enforcement agencies informed Suspilne about this.

As of 13:33, the searches are still ongoing. This fact was also confirmed by the National Police of Ukraine.

"The National Police, together with the SSU, are conducting searches at the residence of the Lviv pseudo-activist who was producing fake journalist IDs. Law enforcement officers are documenting the fraudulent actions of the man. More information will be provided after the completion of the investigative actions," — stated the press service of the National Police of Ukraine.

The police say that he was issuing fake journalist IDs. Earlier this year, "Babel" wrote that in April 2023, Stakhiv launched paid courses note for "journalists". The cost ranged from 2,500 to 7,500 hryvnias. Stakhiv openly stated that these courses were not for future media work but for the "protection" of one’s rights. After completing the course and a practical exam, he would issue "journalist-rights defender" IDs.

Furthermore, in March 2023, Stakhiv established the NGO "Union of Human Rights Defenders of Ukraine" and is actively recruiting new members. He trains them to "defend their rights and freedoms". Stakhiv issues "international human rights defender IDs" to NGO members, which have no legal force.