On Danylo Nechai Street in Dnipro, a man suspected of shoplifting was not handed over to the police – he was led outside and taped to a pole. According to preliminary data from local Telegram channels, the incident occurred in one of the VARUS chain stores, but no official confirmation has been received from the retail chain. The surveillance camera footage shows a man in a green vest moving between shelves and manipulating goods.
On the published video, eyewitnesses can be heard saying:
He is mentally ill. We can't do anything. He steals from stores... He just walks in, brazenly...
Those who tied the man to the pole have not been officially identified. How long he remained in that state and whether law enforcement officers arrived at the scene is unknown. There is also no information on whether the theft was officially recorded or if criminal proceedings have been initiated.
What the law says
Lynch law is an illegal act regardless of the circumstances. Physically restraining a person without legal grounds and publicly humiliating them – even if the suspicion of theft is justified – is a violation of the law. The lawful course of action in such situations involves the following:
immediately notify the police about the suspect;
if possible, prevent him from leaving until the patrol arrives, without using excessive force;
do not humiliate the person or engage in lynch law;
report all known circumstances of the incident to law enforcement.
