A 19-year-old from Lviv evaded punishment for a series of arson incidents in the city center.

The Halytskyi District Court has issued a verdict for 19-year-old Bohdan Volobuyev, who committed a series of arson attacks in downtown Lviv while intoxicated. The court has sentenced him to two years of probation.

As reported by ZAXID.NET, the incidents occurred on September 17, 2024, around midnight. At that time, Bohdan Volobuyev decided to set fire to the building of the Faculty of Economics at Ivan Franko National University on Theater Street, 17, igniting polyethylene film on the windows with a lighter. After that, he attempted to burn the electric switchboard of Lvivoblenergo located in the passage from Theater Street to Rynok Square, by setting paper boxes nearby on fire.

After these unsuccessful attempts, he ignited a floral arrangement worth 10,000 UAH near the entrance of the "Chibo" restaurant on Theater Street, which was completely destroyed. A banner located nearby also caught fire.

He then moved to Rynok Square, where he also tried to set fire to a banner around the fountain featuring Neptune, as well as the decorations of the "Vuyko Sem" restaurant on Brothers Rohatyntsiv Street. As a result of the fire, the restaurant's terrace, valued at 80,000 UAH, was burned down. Following a series of arson incidents, he was apprehended by the police.

In court, Bohdan Volobuyev admitted his guilt and waived the consideration of the case. Judge Olha Pavliuk found him guilty under Part 2 of Article 194 (intentional damage to property) and Part 2 of Article 15 (attempted crime) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, sentencing him to 4 years in prison. However, the court released him from serving the sentence, substituting imprisonment with 2 years of probation.

Additionally, he is required to pay 14,700 UAH in court costs and to compensate the owner of the "Chibo" restaurant 11,800 UAH for material damages and 15,000 UAH for moral damages. This verdict can be appealed.