Ukraine activist Kateryna Handzyuk dies from acid attack

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In the latest from Ukraine, a country which experienced a rightwing coup after its riotous occupation of public space, a activist focusing on corruption has died after wounds from an acid attack. Protests have since erupted in the country.

The victim, Kateryna Handzyuk, investigated police graft and political corruption in her town of Kherson, a port city located on the Black Sea.

In late July, a man attacked her as she left her home, dousing her head with acid. After eleven operations and months of severe pain, she succumbed to her injuries. The acid destroyed 30% of her body. She continued her campaign from her hospital bed.

Though the Ukrainian president, Poroshenko, has called for the attackers to be punished, its suspected that former police officers or even elements of the ruling class led the assault.

As the guardian reports, "....it does not appear any of those arrested ordered the attack."

“Attacks against #civilsociety activists are unacceptable. The perpetrators of this vicious crime must be brought to justice,” wrote Johannes Hahn, EU commissioner for European neighbourhood and enlargement negotiations, on Twitter.

As has been reported here, women are far more likely to be attacked by acid than men. Acid attacks are particularly violent, perhaps one of the worst things you can do to someone. The humiliation aspect is obvious: should a victim survive the attack, they are forced to exist permanently deformed.