DISINFO: Suspicion of high treason for pro-Kremlin politician is struggle against opposition
SUMMARY
Putting pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk under suspicion for high treason is a method of struggle against the political opposition and the economic elite. It is the same as the closure of three pro-Russian TV channels, which is illegal. Decisions against anyone should be taken only after trial.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, claiming that the Ukrainian authorities’ recent actions against pro-Kremlin influence are oppressive and illegal.
Suspicion for high treason was announced on 11 May 2021 against pro-Kremlin politicians Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak. Medvedchuk is considered to be the most prominent agent of Russian influence in Ukraine. He is a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is godfather to Medvedchuk’s daughter. Putin and Ukrainian pro-Kremlin politicians hold Medvedchuk in high esteem for his continual attempts to coerce Ukraine into accepting Russian conditions concerning a peaceful settlement in Donbas.
On 2 February 2021, three Ukrainian pro-Kremlin TV channels were taken off the air. These channels -- NewsOne, ZIK and Ukraina 112 -- were closed after sanctions were imposed on their owner, Taras Kozak. However, some consider Medvedchuk their real owner.
Sanctions were imposed on Medvedchuk on 20 February, which included a freeze on his assets. They also banned him and his wife from doing business in Ukraine for three years. In an interview with Russian outlets Medvedchuk later said in a braggish manner:
“It is very hard to ban me. I can be banned only physically. All other ways which the authorities are using, Zelenskyy and his circle, are of no avail.”
When officers of Ukraine's security service (SBU) came to Medvedchuk’s dwelling, he had been away. His whereabouts are still unknown.
Read more disinformation cases alleging that the Ukrainian authorities widely resort to political repression to quash political dissent.