Court bans distributing Kipiani’s book “The Case of Vasyl Stus” without Medvedchuk’s permission

The Darnytsia District Court has banned distributing the edition of Vakhtang Kipiani's book "The Case of Vasyl Stus" without the permission of Viktor Medvedchuk.

The court found that some phrases in the book violate the honor and dignity of the plaintiff, Suspilne reports.

Also, the court ordered to collect 860 hryvnias from Vakhtang Kipiani and Vivat Publishing House in favor of Viktor Medvedchuk.

In 2019, Vivat Publishing House received a lawsuit from Viktor Medvedchuk over the publication of Vakhtang Kipiani's book "The Case of Vasyl Stus," a collection of documents from the archives of the former KGB of the USSR.

The essence of the lawsuit is to withdraw the book from sale, and, in fact, prohibit distributing the book in any form and in any territory. According to Kipiani, they've already sold about 10,000 copies of the book.

Commenting on the lawsuit, Medvedchuk himself said that "if a person allows himself statements that do not correspond to reality, it is the subject of litigation."

Viktor Medvedchuk was Vasyl Stus's lawyer at the 1980 trial. Stus himself protested against this appointment but could not replace the defender. In his speech in front of the court, Medvedchuk stated that all the crimes of the defendant deserve punishment.

The publisher will appeal to the court's injunction.

"We have made a difficult financial decision, but quite understandable for us in terms of morality, to go to the Court of Appeal. The application will be filed as soon as we receive the full text of the court decision," Vivat stated.

According to the decision of the judge of Darnytsia district court Maryna Zastavenko, the following phrases should be removed from the book "The Case of Vasyl Stus" (translation by Rubryka – TN):

"… whether Stus had the opportunity to choose "less evil." However, it is a fact that the lawyer provided and supported by the state security named Viktor Medvedchuk"

"… Medvedchuk admitted in court that all "crimes" allegedly committed by his client "deserve punishment"

"… he (meaning Viktor Medvedchuk) actually supported the prosecution. Why do we need prosecutors when there are such compliant lawyers?…"

"… lawyer Medvedchuk appointed by the state сrucified the poet (meaning Vasily Stus)"

"… a boy Friday of the communist system, Medvedchuk…"

"Lawyer Medvedchuk also committed a crime against the poet by not informing his family about the beginning of the trial. Was he afraid of the KGB or was he always a cynic and an immoral type?"

By the way, the court allowed leaving the phrase "… the son of police goon" in the book.

Until these phrases being removed from the book, the court banned Vivat and Vakhtang Kipiani from distributing it.

Where to buy the book "The Case of Vasily Stus" by Vakhtang Kipiani

Vakhtang Kipiani's book "The Case of Vasyl Stus" was sold out both at the publishing house and other distributors in a few minutes after the court decision, Vivat publishing house said.

"We have decided to reprint the new edition until the court decision comes into force and we may do so. You can make pre-orders for the book only in the Vivat online store and personally at the author, Vakhtang Kipiani.

We are expecting a new edition on November 2. The retail price of the book remains at UAH 260, as it was before," the publishing house said.

You can order the book at the link: https://bit.ly/3gAuvYT