A former teacher and director of the Young Theatre in Kiev has been reported by police on suspicion of rape and sexual abuse of female students, including minors.
Law enforcers do not name and hide the face of the accused, but we are talking about Andriy Bilous, with whom a sex scandal broke out in the society in January this year.
Later, Bilous himself commented on receiving suspicion.
He stated that he was glad when he received the suspicion – because now he “will be able to fully defend himself”.
“Before that, I had been all dirty for nine or ten months, I was not a participant in any criminal proceedings, I had no suspicion or status, I was not in the status of a witness, so I could not say a word or comment on anything,” said Bilous.
He also denied all the accusations against him. According to him, “there was never any violence on his part towards anyone.”
Asked if he had sexual contacts with the girls accusing him, he said that for him “sex is verbal”, he puts on “quite frank” plays, and “sex happens even at rehearsals in the presence of everyone”.
“They would come to my house, talk to me like family, sing carols to me, sing songs to me at the table and so on. People who have been raped in quotes for many years showed no problem,” the director said.
He also said that the accusations against him are an “ordered campaign” to “destroy him as the director of the most successful theatre.” At the same time, he refused to name who exactly is the organiser of this campaign.
Earlier in February, amid the accusations of the students, Belous told “Hromadskyy” that he was found guilty “not on the basis of evidence, but because of public pressure”. The prosecutor’s office demands to keep the director in custody without bail.
Bilous headed one of the acting and drama directing departments at the Kyiv National Karpenko-Karhogo University, but because of the scandal, the management suspended him from teaching. Instead, Belous remained the director of the “Young Theatre” until May, when he wrote a letter of resignation with the consent of the parties.
What the investigation says
Abusing his authority and official position, the suspect, according to the investigation, from 2017, “systematically induced female students to enter into sexual relations with him without voluntary consent” and committed acts of a sexual nature against them.
In addition, between March 2018 and April 2023, “in the office premises of the theatre, he repeatedly raped and committed violent acts of a sexual nature against five girls, two of whom were minors at the time of the crimes,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
A forensic psychological examination showed that the husband’s behaviour led to long-term psychological consequences for the victims.
To those who tried to avoid him or reacted negatively to sexual harassment, the man “created an atmosphere of intimidation, namely, did not pay attention during classes, publicly devalued and humiliated him, did not involve him in practical classes (exhibitions),” law enforcers said.
Law enforcers interviewed not only the victims, but also “dozens of witnesses” who said that the teacher’s behaviour was sexualised, he forced female students to send him intimate photos, correspond on obscene topics, and physically molested them in the theatre.
Law enforcement officers searched the home and work of the suspect, seized phones and other physical evidence, which is now being checked.
The pre-trial investigation is still ongoing, the issue of selecting a preventive measure is being decided.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko personally commented on the issuance of suspicion Bilous, noting that the society was shocked by the “shocking story of a student who told about sexual harassment by a teacher of the Kyiv National University of Theatre, Film and Television named after Karpenko – Karogo”
“This frank disclosure exposed the depth of the problem – abuse of power, impunity and fear within the walls of educational institutions. Later, other students of this university joined her, telling their stories,” the Prosecutor General added, noting that his deputy Maria Vdovichenko will personally represent the prosecution in court.
What Belous said earlier
Belous practically did not comment on the accusations of the female students, but at the height of the scandal in January, he told Hromadske journalists that he turned to the police.
“I wrote a statement to the police, they are dealing with it. I do not comment, while the investigation is underway,” Belous replied in messenger, but did not specify what exactly he went to the police about
He later told Hromadske that all charges should be investigated according to the law.
“Today I am recognised guilty not on the basis of evidence, but because of public pressure,” the director said.
He also added that he is ready for the investigation.
“We have travelled a long and difficult road,” he said
“We have come a long and hard way,” Lyudmila Vygovska, lawyer of the organisation “YurFem: Support”, which helps five victims of Belous’ actions, said in a comment to the press.
Author photo, 1+1
She says that the victims asked for help back in January, and after publicity and complaints to the court, an investigation began. Dozens of interviews and interrogations took place over the next few months.
She added that she “admires” every girl who decided to report the abuse despite the risk of pressure and judgement.
Vygovska said there are many months of criminal proceedings ahead and it is too early to say whether the goal has been achieved.