Language Ombudsman calls on law enforcement to speak Ukrainian when detaining corrupt officials
23 January 2024 16:21
Taras Kremin, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, responded to the discussion of the video of the detention of businessman Roman Hrynkivch by the State Bureau of Investigation, reports 
on 22 January, the State Bureau of Investigation announced the detention of Ihor Hrynkivych, the son of businessman Roman Hrynkivych, who is suspected of causing more than UAH 1 billion in damage to the state. The detention took place in Odesa, and in the video footage released, SBI officers can be heard speaking to the detainees in Russian.
Taras Kremin reminded that, according to paras. 7 and 8 of Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language”, both heads of law enforcement agencies and rank-and-file personnel are obliged to use Ukrainian in the performance of their duties.
“The use of a non-state language by law enforcement officials has been criticised on social media. Citizens are reacting sharply to the violation of their language rights and are asking me to intervene in the situation. Law enforcement officials are obliged to use the state language in the performance of their duties. I hope that such incidents will not occur in the future.”
– kremin responded to the incident.
