Hundreds gather at Independence Square to honor Ukrainian Hero Stepan Khmara
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A farewell ceremony was held in Kyiv, ob Feb. 25, for the Hero of Ukraine, dissident, and former MP Stepan Khmara.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced this, calling him a great Ukrainian and an unwavering patriot.
The farewell ceremony began at the Kyiv Conservatory. Subsequently, individuals had the opportunity to bid farewell at Independence Square, where more than 500 people assembled, according to public broadcaster Suspilne.
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Stepan Khmara was sung farewell to at the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on Askold’s Grave and buried at the Baikove Cemetery.
His relatives, friends, and colleagues attended the farewell in downtown Kyiv, Hromadske Radio reported. Additionally, former MP Ivan Zaets, known for his advocacy for Ukraine’s independence in the 20th century, attended the ceremony.
Stepan Khmara passed away on Feb. 21 at the age of 86.
He was a fighter for Ukraine’s independence and one of the leaders of the anti-communist resistance movement of the 1970s-1980s.
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In 1980, the KGB arrested the dissident for his political and human rights activities, charging him under the article of “anti-Soviet propaganda.” Khmara was sentenced to seven years in strict regime camps and five years of exile. He served his sentence in political prisoner camps in the Urals.
Released in 1987, Khmara returned to Ukraine and became one of the leaders of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union and later a co-author of the Ukrainian Constitution.
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He was a member of the first, second, and fourth convocations of the Parliament. In 2006, Khmara was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
