On March 21, 2014 media disseminated information regarding detention of Denys Bugay, attorney, President of the Ukrainian Bar Association. The reason for detention was suspicion of his alleged involvement in criminal organization.

It should be noted that according to the information provided by Kyiv Board of Attorneys’ Denys Bugay was detained with violation of Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Bar and legal profession”. The Commission considers that detention of the attorney Denys Bugay is illegal method of investigation pressure that lead to breaking client-attorney privilege and Attorney’s oath.

Such kind of interference in attorneys’ professional activity, disregard of guarantees of advocate’s activity, as well as imperative standards of the Law of Ukraine “On the Bar and legal profession” recognized by international community as adopting the Charter about attorney’s role, are inadmissible and endanger Ukrainian legal system.

Considering the foregoing, Executive Chairman of the Commission Oleg Belyaev in cooperation with the Ukrainian National Bar Association addressed to Ukraine’s acting Prosecutor General Oleh Mahnitskyi a request to guarantee prevention of the violation Denys Bugay’s rights as an attorney during conducting the criminal proceeding.