The buddies of a Ukrainian household dealing with hate crime fees in Broward County, Florida, mentioned there may be concern the household could possibly be deported again to their dwelling nation as Russia's battle towards Ukraine rages on.

Three members of the Makarenko household have been accused of "severely beating a person primarily based on his sexual orientation" in August 2021. The 31-year-old man from Pompano Seashore was "completely blinded" and suffered extra "severe" accidents within the alleged incident, Broward County prosecutors mentioned.

Because the Makarenko household faces fees within the U.S., individuals in Ukraine proceed battling the battle with Russia that has been occurring for about seven weeks. Based on refugee knowledge final up to date on Tuesday by the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), greater than 4.6 million individuals have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion started on February 24.

Within the U.S., the three members of the Makarenko household—recognized by prosecutors as Inna, Yevhen and Oleh Makarenko—had been arrested about one month in the past on March 10. Pals of the arrested people mentioned they're mom, father and son. Prosecutors didn't present extra figuring out details about the person who was crushed however alleged the three people knew him earlier than the beating occurred, in line with The Related Press.

Ukranian family face potential deportation
inventory picture.Getty/istock/AlessandroPhoto

On Tuesday, the Broward State Legal professional's Workplace introduced tried first-degree homicide, battery throughout a house housebreaking and kidnapping fees towards all three people. Prosecutors mentioned the costs had been filed as hate crimes. Every cost has a most potential sentence of life in state jail, prosecutors mentioned.

The state lawyer's workplace lately launched its new Hate Crimes Unit on March 23. The aim of the unit is to "fight hate crimes, elevate public consciousness of this subject, and assist enhance reporting of such crimes in our neighborhood," in line with Broward County prosecutors.

Following the Makarenkos' arrests, two mates of the household launched a Change.org petition to "demand justice" for the people, whom they mentioned are "harmless" and being "wrongly held in jail." The petition alleged authorities offered "no arrest warrant or proof" towards the Makarenkos.

"Mom, Father and Son are being falsely accused of extreme crimes with a number of fees towards them," the petition mentioned. "These might lead to a life-in-prison-sentence in the USA for each accused member of the family or Deportation again to Ukraine - the place an excruciating battle is occurring proper now."

The petition, which listed a 500-signature objective, had collected greater than 360 signatures by Wednesday afternoon.

The Broward State Legal professional's Workplace referred Newsweek to a Tuesday press launch saying the hate crime fees filed towards the Makarenkos when reached on Wednesday for remark. Prosecutors declined to remark additional, citing the pending nature of the case.