The State Bureau of Investigation has announced that a sitting MP is facing a new charge of treason
Officers from the State Bureau of Investigations, in collaboration with the Security Service of Ukraine, have announced that a new charge of treason has been brought against a sitting Member of Parliament who is currently in custody.
According to the investigation, the MP, who is already charged with treason, continued his anti-state information activities even whilst in a detention centre. According to the findings of a linguistic and psychological analysis, his posts on Telegram, Facebook and YouTube pose a threat to Ukraine’s state and information security.
The investigation established that he carried out this communication during meetings with his lawyers. The MP used laptops without internet access, on which he prepared texts, recorded videos and left instructions regarding their publication.
The lawyers then passed the prepared content to a person who managed the MP’s online platforms. According to operational data, this is his common-law wife, who is currently in Barcelona. The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the purchase of property in the Catalan capital and the origin of the funds.
A previous case concerning treason involving this MP is already before the court. According to the investigation, he was a member of an influence network coordinated by Andriy Derkach, who is currently a Russian senator and subject to US sanctions.
This network included employees of the Russian special services and former Ukrainian officials. According to the investigation, the group spread disinformation and attempted to influence political processes.
Investigators believe that the MP publicly promoted narratives beneficial to Russia, discredited Ukraine’s leadership and the state’s partners, and coordinated his actions with other members of the network.
Under the new charges, he is accused of high treason committed under martial law. The actions are classified under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The penalty provides for imprisonment for life.
It is also noted that, as a result of the investigation, over 50 video messages and posts by the MP on social media and other information resources were examined. Expert analysis confirmed the presence of signs of Russian propaganda in these materials.
The Office of the Prosecutor General is overseeing the proceedings in the case. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
