Kazakhstani who sentenced to 20 years in France was found innocent

Sofia Bodnarchuk, a 27-year-old Kazakhstan native, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in France was found innocent, Turanews.kz reports citing Khabar 24 TV channel.

11 years ago, Sofia Bodnarchuk moved to France from Karagandy and married a citizen of the country. However, in 2016, her husband shot and killed his parents in front of Sofia and their two-year-old daughter.

After the incident, the Kazakhstani spent almost five and a half years in a French prison. He was accused of being an accomplice in the case. During the trial, 6 lawyers hired by her husband’s relatives spoke against Sofia Bodnarchuk.

In the meantime, compatriots supported Sofia. Later, Eduard Marcial, a well-known lawyer, joined this case.

“I ended up completely alone, not speaking French, not knowing any laws, the embassy supported me very much. I would like to thank former Ambassador Zhan Serzhanovich Galiev and legal adviser Rustem Umurzakov very much. Throughout all these long years, they supported me, helped me, they were present at the courts and also supported my parents in Kazakhstan, ” Sofia said.

According to the lawyer, Kazakhs, including diplomats, immediately became interested in Sophia’s case and joined the defense. They were always there, constantly writing letters, signaling tirelessly to all authorities about all the problems of Sophia.

Lawyer Martial believes that the main reason for the unfair decision was the indifference of others.

“She has always been considered, without a doubt, an accomplice in murder. Her own testimony had no weight, because thanks to some people in court, Sophia was exposed as a frivolous foreigner who came to rob a rich Frenchman. And soon she was sentenced to 20 years in prison, I did not expect it, it was a surprise, I did not understand where and what I did wrong. But in the end, the case of Sofia Bodnarchuk ended in her favor. The French state will have to compensate for the damage caused by the unfair verdict,” the lawyer said.

However, in the end, the case was decided in favor of Sofia Bodnarchuk. Now the French side must compensate for the damage caused by the unjust verdict. Having proven her innocence, Kazakhstani Sofia now intends to return parental rights.