Ukraine's State Investigative Bureau has completed a preliminary investigation into pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who is accused of treason and is being put on trial.
Medvedchuk, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies in Ukraine, risks being sentenced to 15 years in prison if found guilty on charges of treason and violating the law of war, according to a statement posted on the agency's website.
According to the investigative agency, Medvedchuk provided assistance to the Russian leadership with "subversive activities" against Ukraine, such as gathering information on the location of military units.
The Ukrainian politician, who heads the opposition Platform for Opposition - For Life party, denies he committed anything reprehensible. He was placed under house arrest last year on charges of treason, but fled his home after Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February and was arrested in April.
Viktor Medvedchuk, who had the 12th largest fortune in Ukraine in 2021, worth $620 million according to Forbes magazine, bragged about having a close personal relationship with Vladimir Putin, claiming to be the godfather of one of his daughters.
The founder of the pro-Russian "Platform of Opposition - For Life" party, which had elected about 30 deputies to the Ukrainian parliament before being outlawed in March after the Russian invasion, was once a negotiator - insisted on by the Kremlin, according to Kiev - in government and separatist talks in Donbass.
On April 12, Ukrainian authorities announced the arrest of the oligarch and politician, who escaped after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source.gr
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