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Hundreds rally after activist dies in Ukraine

Kateryna Handzyuk, 33, suffered burns over 40% of her body and severe eye damage as a result of the assault

Monday, 5th November 2018

A prominent Ukrainian anti-corruption activist has died, three months after she was injured in an acid attack.

Kateryna Handzyuk, 33, suffered burns over 40% of her body and severe eye damage as a result of the assault on 31 July in the southern city of Kherson.

Several hundred people have gathered outside the Ukrainian Interior Ministry headquarters after Handzyuk succumbed to her injuries on Sunday.

The exact cause of Ms Handzyuk's death was not immediately known, but reports in local media suggested it was a blood clot.

In September, the activist - who also campaigned against Russian-backed separatism posted a video in which she urged Ukrainians to fight rampant corruption.

"I know I look bad now. But at least I'm being treated," she said. "And I definitely know that I look much better than justice in Ukraine. Because nobody is treating it."

Police detained five people in the case, including the alleged assailant. They have not identified anyone suspected of ordering the attack on Handzyuk, who was an aide to the mayor of the city of Kherson as well as an activist.

The people honoring Handzyuk on Sunday called for intensified efforts to find those responsible.

Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said in August that separatist organizations were believed to have been involved, with the aim of destabilizing southern Ukraine. Kherson is a significant port city.

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