KIEV, March 5. /TASS/. The high treason charges, the initiation of a criminal case, threats of violence, and reports on a possible assassination attempt are a vivid example of political repression unleashed by the current regime against those who disagree with Kiev's policies, Chairman of the Political Council of the Opposition Platform - For Life political party Viktor Medvechuk told Ukraine’s First National TV Channel on Tuesday.
"What is happening [in Ukraine] today is one of the layers of political repression directed against those who disagree with the authorities presently running in the election campaign. The Opposition Platform - For Life political force is actively involved in that, just like our representative Yuri Boiko, a Ukrainian presidential contender," Medvedchuk pointed out.
According to the politician, a criminal case against him has been handed over to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), which will oversee the criminal investigation, collect evidence of his alleged guilt and carry out a linguistic examination of his remarks concerning a peace plan to resolve the crisis in the Donbass region.
Medvedchuk stressed though that there were no criminal characteristics in his actions, and no charges whatsoever could be pressed against him in accordance with the law. "I am not afraid of that at all," the politician said, adding he did not rule out a miscarriage of justice in that case.
The political figure also commented on rumors regarding an imminent attempt on his life by Ukraine’s military intelligence. "I am sure that the law enforcement agencies should verify this information, because it sounds serious and realistic," he said, adding that letters to this effect had been sent to the relevant authorities. However, they took no measures, he said, so lawmakers from the Opposition Platform - for Life had to file a lawsuit with Kiev’s Shevchenko District Court, which ruled to initiate a criminal case on February 21.
"This is how we now have to protect our rights, which are constitutional, including shielding (ourselves) from political repression and threats of taking someone’s life," Medvedchuk concluded.