The investigation into the 2018 homophobic attack on Vitalina Koval, a human rights defender of women’s and LGBTI rights, has been extended until 31 January 2022. The expert report looking into the discriminatory motive of the attack and its possible qualification as a hate crime, is expected to be finalised at the beginning of 2022. These are welcome developments as there was a risk that the investigation would not be extended beyond the deadline of 31 July, denying Vitalika Koval the right to equal access to justice.
