On July 20, 2024, a red bench named “Yana Forever” was inaugurated in Lonato in memory of Yana Malaiko, a 23-year-old of Ukrainian descent who was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend Dumitru Stratan. The installation is located at the Perla del Garda and was attended by Yana’s father, Oleksandr Malaiko, along with local officials and members of the association You Are Not Alone, which advocates against gender-based violence.
During the event, Malaiko expressed a mix of sadness and hope, emphasizing the importance of community in preventing such tragedies. Currently, Stratan is on trial for murder and corpse concealment; the next hearing is scheduled for September 30. The initiative has also received support from the national Coldiretti organization.
Italian Version
