Ukrainian ex-MP Mikhail Chechetov commits suicide in Kiev

Mikhail Chechetov, former first deputy head of the Party of Regions faction in the Ukrainian parliament of the 7th convocation, has committed a suicide by jumping out of the window of his apartment on Mishugy Street in Kiev on the February 28 night. Chechetov fell 17 stories to his death, according to the press office of the Ukraine Interior Ministry Chief Department in Kiev.

According to the source, the ex-deputy left a note. At 2:00am, Chechetov’s wife noticed that the light was on in his room and found a note on the table reading “There are no moral forces to live any longer. I ask you to understand and forgive me.”

“Judging by the testimonies of Mikhail Chechetov’s wife, it was a suicide, I have no doubts. However, someone might have forced him to commit a suicide. Persons he could witness against might have threatened him on phone or meeting him. The investigation will look into details,” says Anton Gerashchenko, member of the parliament, advisor to the Interior Minister.

Kiev police has opened a criminal case based on Article 115 of the Criminal Code (murder) to verify all possible versions.

Earlier on February 21, the Pechersky District Court of Kiev arrested Mikhail Chechetov over violation of the voting procedure during the adoption of ‘dictatorial’ laws on January 16, 2014.  Later, Chechetov was set free on a 5-million-hryvnia bail. In addition, Viktor Shokin, new attorney general promised not to allow former members of the Party of Regions Alexander Yefremov and Mikhail Chechetov to flee to Russia. It was reported earlier that the Prosecutor General’s Office intended to bring new charges against Chechetov.