Authorities in Kyiv have denied reports that the father of a Ukrainian refugee who was killed in the U.S. was being prevented from attending her funeral because of travel restrictions on men of fighting age.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said Stanislav Zarutskyi had arrived in the U.S. “to say goodbye to his daughter,” Iryna Zarutska, 23, who was murdered on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
It followed unverified but widely circulated reports that Zarutskyi had been unable to attend his daughter’s funeral because of travel restrictions on military-age men in Ukraine, which were described by the border service as “absurd.”
Newsweek has contacted the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine for comment.
Why It Matters
Zarutska was stabbed on a light train in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22, with video showing the attack by the alleged assailant.
Her killing sparked outrage over over crime in urban areas, mental health failures and questions over why the suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., was free given his criminal record.
Reports Zarutska’s father was unable to attend her funeral added poignancy to the tragedy of a Ukrainian refugee losing her life while seeking refuge in the U.S.
What To Know
Ukrainska Pravda reported Wednesday comments made by Colonel Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, at a briefing in Kyiv.
He described as “not true and absurd” reports that Zarutska’s father could not leave Ukraine to go to the U.S.
Media outlets reported that he could not come to the U.S. for the funeral because of martial law regulations barring men aged 18-60 from leaving Ukraine.
But Demchenko said that Zarutskyi was provided with the necessary assistance for processing documents to enter the U.S. and other support.
He confirmed that the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had assisted Zarutskyi in obtaining a U.S. visa and continues to provide consular support.
Zarutskyi had recently left Ukraine on humanitarian grounds, was receiving consular assistance, and had arrived in the United States, “where he will be able to say goodbye to his daughter,” Demchenko added.
Brown, 34, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
His criminal record, which included multiple arrests for theft, armed robbery and threats since 2011, prompted anger and was cited by President Donald Trump and his supporters as an indictment of the management of Democrat-led cities.
What People Are Saying
Colonel Andrii Demchenko, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, per Ukrainska Pravda: “All these reports and comments circulated by various media outlets, including foreign sources, are not true and are absurd.”
He added: “The father of this young woman was not denied exit at border checkpoints and did not experience any formal refusal to leave Ukraine.”
What Happens Next
Brown’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 19 where preliminary or procedural matters will be addressed such as his competency to stand trial. He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a documented pattern of delusional behavior.
His case has escalated from state-level murder charges to a federal indictment and Trump has called for him to face the death penalty. This comes ahead of a likely media debate about better mental health evaluations, stricter bail eligibility rules, and the policing of Democrat-led cities.
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