A highly impactful trial recently took place, with a request for a life sentence for Dumitru Stratan, accused of premeditated murder of his ex-girlfriend Yana Malaiko. The incident occurred on the night of January 20, 2023, in Stratan’s sister’s apartment. Prosecutor Lucia Lombardo presented a clear and disturbing picture during her statement, highlighting the motive rooted in jealousy and the threats made by the defendant in the days leading up to the murder. The evidence presented includes WhatsApp messages that demonstrate the escalation of violence and a video recording in which Stratan made threatening remarks.
Lombardo detailed the stages of the investigation, emphasizing how Yana’s body was found in a suitcase hidden among the bushes, showing evident signs of violence. The dramatic account elicited an emotional reaction from the victim’s father, Olexsandr, who was forced to leave the courtroom to avoid confronting the images of the crime. The prosecutor concluded her argument by asserting that the defendant’s behavior fully justifies the request for a life sentence, due to the brutality and premeditation demonstrated in the murder.
