Anatoliy Frantsuznyk - Hero of Ukraine and former Head of the Rivne Regional Ministry of Internal Affairs, member of the Supervisory Board of the APDU - dies

Anatoliy Yosypovych Fazhynets, former head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Rivne region, passed away in Kyiv at the age of 71.

Anatoliy Fazhyn was born on 23 March 1954 in Monastyrysk, Ternopil Oblast. He received his law degree from several educational institutions, including the Lviv Special Secondary School of Police, the Kyiv Higher School of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Academy of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs.

His professional career began in 1972 with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. In 2000-2002, he was the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Rivne region, and from June 2002 to February 2005 he was the head of the Volyn Regional State Administration.

Anatoliy Fazhdan became known for his participation in the international operation to rescue a hostage in April 2002. Back then, terrorists who had attacked a bank in Germany reached the outskirts of Rivne. Anatoliy Frantsuznyk voluntarily replaced the hostage, risking his own life. For this heroic deed, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Golden Star by a decree of the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma.

He was also an honoured lawyer of Ukraine, a police lieutenant general, a PhD in law and a professor. He is the author of books about the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, a member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, and a member of the Supervisory Board of the Association of Private Detectives of Ukraine.

Anatoliy Fazhun left a significant mark in law enforcement and academia. His heroism and professionalism will be remembered forever.