As Ukraine’s former president Petro Poroshenko prepares to return to Kyiv under threat of arrest in a treason case he says was trumped up by allies of current President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, British ambassador Melinda Simmons has called for unity among the country’s political leaders.
Poroshenko faces allegations of high treason over his alleged financing of Kremlin-backed separatist forces in the country’s east, which he says have been fabricated by allies of current President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and which are linking him with pro-Kremlin politician and businessman Viktor Medvedchuk, himself suspected of treason and terrorist-financing for helping to broker state coal purchases from the occupied areas of Ukraine.
Ms. Simmons has previously said of the case “It’s vital that law enforcement agencies and the judiciary tackle this case, like any other, independently, impartially and professionally, ensuring fairness and respect for due process.”
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv has also weighed in on the issue, saying that “the United States is closely following the case against former President Poroshenko. Crucial that process and outcome be based on the rule of law, not politics.”
Members of the European Parliament have also expressed “grave concern at recent decisions of the Prosecutor General’s Office to issue a suspicion to the former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on charges of high treason and financing terrorism.”
Zelenskiy has been accused of behaving like Russian-backed former president Viktor Yanukovich, whose political rival Yulia Tymoshenko was jailed in December 2010.
For his part, Zelenskiy appears to be distancing himself from the investigation, with government officials insisting that prosecutors and judiciary are independent, and accusing Poroshenko of thinking he was “above the law.”
Poroshenko’s return to Kyiv coincides with rising concerns over the possibility of renewed armed conflict with Russia.
Follow EU Today on Social media:
