Ombudsman Lubinets: death of man following detention by police and TCC being investigated under two criminal cases

The Office of the Ukrainian Ombudsman is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was hospitalized in January 2026 at a Kyiv hospital with broken ribs and a chest injury.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement by Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.

At the initiative of the Ombudsman’s Office, the prosecutor’s office opened criminal proceedings into the possible abuse of authority by police officers and personnel of the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TCC and SS). According to documents received from the medical facility, the man died several days after being hospitalized.

Lubinets identified the key violation in this case as the absence of a pathological autopsy — which he said is mandatory in cases of possible violent death. The body was released to the family for burial without an examination being conducted.

“Today, the public, the victim’s relatives, and the investigation still have no answer to the most important questions: what exactly caused the man’s death and whether the injuries he sustained were connected to his death. The absence of an autopsy may have complicated the establishment of the truth in the case and the preservation of important evidence,” the Ombudsman stressed.

At the initiative of the Ombudsman’s Office, a second set of criminal proceedings has been opened — concerning the possible improper performance of professional duties by medical workers who released the body without the mandatory examination.

While the investigations continue, new testimonies from citizens about actions taken during mobilization activities appear on social media daily. One of the most recent incidents occurred in Cherkasy Oblast: according to a man, he was stopped by people in civilian clothes who refused to identify themselves. After he asked them to explain their actions, he was met with threats, and an attempt was made to damage his car.

Lubinets stressed that his work does not depend on public sentiment and that human rights must be protected regardless of who the victim is. As an example, he cited a recent inspection by Ombudsman representatives at the Odesa detention facility — concerning the possible humiliation of a TCC and SS employee. Based on the results of the monitoring visit, materials were handed over to law enforcement agencies.

“For me, there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ victims. If human rights are being violated, those responsible must be held accountable,” Lubinets stated.

In the five months of 2026, the Ombudsman’s Office received more than three thousand complaints about the actions of servicemen at territorial recruitment centers. According to Lubinets, this figure reflects only direct appeals from citizens, while the actual number of violations is at least three times greater.

In April 2026, the Ombudsman’s Office published the results of an inspection of the Uzhhorod TCC, where numerous violations were identified — in particular, the unlawful detention of people for periods ranging from 21 to 50 days.