In Mykolaiv Region, a Woman Who Defended Herself Against a Knife-Wielding Rapist Is Suspected of Murder

She has been placed under house arrest at night.

A 30-year-old woman from one of the villages in Mykolaiv Region stabbed in the abdomen a 25-year-old acquaintance who had been harassing her at a New Year's disco.

The man was intoxicated and threatened her with a knife; the woman took the weapon from him and struck him. He died on the spot from his wounds, the police of Mykolaiv Region reported.

The case has caused a wave of outrage because the woman was charged with murder while acting in self-defense.

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on January 1 in the local club building, where a holiday disco was taking place.

"A local resident was harassing the woman and even pulled out a knife to force her to reciprocate. She took the knife and struck her intoxicated acquaintance with it. The 25-year-old victim died on the spot from his wounds," the police said.

Law enforcement officers add that the woman was taken to the police station and is now a suspect in a case opened under the article on intentional murder. She faces up to 15 years in prison.

The charge of intentional murder against a woman who acted in self-defense has outraged social media users.

In particular, users argue that this was not a premeditated killing but an act of self-defense. They were also outraged that the release called the woman an "assailant" and described the victim as having "shown excessive attention to her" and having "pulled out a knife to force her to reciprocate".

After the wave of criticism, police explained why they suspect the woman specifically of murder rather than exceeding the limits of self-defense.

They say the conflict between them began inside the premises and then continued outside. A witness was a club employee who also went out into the yard.

Outside, the woman took the knife from the man, while the club employee, to stop the quarrel, pinned the man against the wall.

"It was at this very moment, although the woman was not in danger, that she stabbed her acquaintance in the abdomen with a knife," the police added.

Law enforcement officers say the woman refuses to give explanations, citing Article 63 of the Constitution, and does not report any possible attempted rape or assault.

If the police establish new circumstances, the classification of this event may be changed.

Court hearing on the choice of a preventive measure

The Central Court of Mykolaiv chose a preventive measure for the woman suspected of murdering her acquaintance. She will be under house arrest at night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The night house arrest will last until March 2, 2022. Investigators had previously insisted on this measure.

Attorney Oksana Balaban argued against round-the-clock house arrest for her client.

"The woman is a single mother with two underage children. She works and supports her children herself," Oksana Balaban said.

Now the woman must appear when summoned by the investigating prosecutor and pre-trial investigation bodies and attend court, and must not leave her home between 7:00 p.m. and 6 a.m.

She has also been forbidden to leave the territory of Mykolaiv Region and to contact witnesses in the criminal proceedings.