The security service of Ukraine on Tuesday has stated they had detained pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest as well as most influential ally in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier posted a photo of a tired-looking and handcuffed Medvedchuk, who says Putin is godfather to his daughter.
In February, Kyiv stated Medvedchuk, the leader of the Opposition Platform- For Life party, had fled from house arrest. During the last year, authorities opened a treason case against Medvedchuk, who declined wrongdoing.
In an online post, the security services said, “You can be a pro-Russian politician & work for the aggressor state for years. You may have been escaping from justice lately. You can wear a Ukrainian army uniform for camouflage.”
“But will it help you escape punishment? Not at all! Shackles are waiting for you, and the same goes for traitors to Ukraine like you.”
The post mentioned Ivan Bakanov, head of the secret services, as saying his operatives had “conducted a lighting-fast and dangerous multi-level special operation” to arrest Medvedchuk but did not give details.
Last month, Zelenskyy said the Opposition Platform- For Life, which is Ukraine’s most extensive opposition movement, & many other smaller political parties with ties to Russia had been suspended.