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Kremlin seeks assurances Ukrainian opposition figure’s case not politically motivated

Prominent Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, who has been charged with high treason, did not ask Russia for assistance, the spokesman said

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Mikhail Metzel/TASS

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

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Ukrainian opposition leader Medvedchuk accused of high treason

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Moscow has no plans to interfere in Ukraine’s case against Chairman of the Political Council of the Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk but would like to make sure that the case is not politically motivated, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

"We don’t plan to interfere in these procedures, this is Ukraine’s internal affair. However, we are closely following these developments. We would like to make sure that this case is not based on political persecution and this is not a campaign stemming from someone’s desire to get rid of political rivals," Peskov said in response to a question.

According to him, such persecution would be unacceptable "from the standpoint of the spirit and letter of democracy." Meanwhile, Medvedchuk has requested neither assistance from Russia, nor political asylum, Peskov noted.

He emphasized that the Kremlin viewed Medvedchuk, first and foremost, as a pro-Ukrainian politician who, unlike many other political figures in his country, "believes in the need to improve relations between Ukraine and Russia and maintain them at a proper level." "As far as we can see from open pollster data published in Ukraine, the position appeals to quite a large number of Ukrainians," Peskov concluded.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian officers of the law conducted searches at Medvedchuk’s home and at the office of the Opposition Platform - For Life party. At the same time, Prosecutor General Irina Venediktova announced that she had signed documents charging the politician and another parliament member, Taras Kozak, with high treason and attempted embezzlement of national resources in Crimea. Medvedchuk slammed the developments as a political witchhunt.

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