Ukrainian authorities say they arrested Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Kremlin tycoon, in a ‘particular operation’ after he fled home arrest.
Ukrainian authorities say they captured a distinguished pro-Kremlin tycoon who escaped from home arrest after Russia’s invasion.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a photograph on-line of a dishevelled-looking Viktor Medvedchuk together with his arms in cuffs and wearing a Ukrainian military uniform.
“A particular operation was carried out by the Safety Service of Ukraine. Properly performed!” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
Safety company chief Ivan Bakanov mentioned brokers carried out a “lightning-fast and harmful multi-level particular operation to detain” the Russia-friendly lawmaker.
“No traitor will escape punishment and all might be held accountable beneath the regulation of Ukraine,” an announcement on Telegram mentioned.
Medvedchuk, one of many richest folks in Ukraine, is a massively controversial determine for his shut ties to Moscow. He's the chief of the Opposition Platform – For Life occasion.
The 67-year-old enterprise tycoon counted Russian President Vladimir Putin amongst his private pals and mentioned the Kremlin chief is godfather to his youngest daughter Darya.
He was being held beneath home arrest since final 12 months on treason prices over accusations of trying to steal pure assets from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian navy secrets and techniques to Moscow.
Medvedchuk, who has denied any wrongdoing, reportedly fled shortly after Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Police mentioned they didn't discover him at his residence tackle on February 26, and introduced he was lacking a day later.
Kyiv’s crackdown on Medvedchuk sparked anger within the Kremlin, with Putin pledging at one stage to “reply” to what he referred to as political persecution.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to touch upon Medvedchuk’s detention, telling Russian information wires “there are plenty of fakes coming from Ukraine” and “this must be checked first”.
In an early morning tackle on Wednesday, Zelenskyy proposed swapping Medvedchuk for female and male prisoners of battle being held by Russian forces, saying it was “vital for our safety forces and navy forces to think about such a risk”.
“And should Medvedchuk be an instance for you,” Zelenskyy mentioned within the video posted on Telegram. “Even the previous oligarch didn't escape. What can we are saying about a lot easier criminals from the Russian hinterland? We'll get everybody.”
Post a Comment