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Zelensky develops habit of extra-judicial crackdown on political opponents, says expert

On Friday, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council introduced sanctions against Viktor Medvedchuk, his wife Oksana Marchenko, and also five Russian citizens

KIEV, February 20. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will continue to use extra-judicial methods to crack down on his political opponents in violation of the country’s legislation, Ukrainian political scientist Kirill Molchanov said on Saturday.

"Zelensky has developed a habit of using extra-judicial repression against his political opponents. Such actions will continue further on. As we can see, there have been no comments from the Western countries so far to the effect this is going beyond the bounds of the rule of law. There was only a very sluggish response from the G7 ambassadors, although normally they are very much worried about human rights," Molchanov said on the 112 Ukraine television news channel in YouTube.

By taking sanctions against Ukrainian politicians, Molchanov said, Zelensky has outdone even his predecessor Pyotr Poroshenko.

"It has been decided to massively violate the law, without presenting any proof, at least stated in public. Sanctions are being taken against the country’s own citizens. We are a unique state in this respect," Molchanov said. "Elsewhere, suspects are investigated first. In our country sanctions are taken right away."

On Friday, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council introduced sanctions against Viktor Medvedchuk, his wife Oksana Marchenko, and also five Russian citizens. Also, the Council’s sanctions apply to six individuals and 19 legal entities. The restrictive measures concern all assets that belong to the aforesaid persons and companies. Security and Defense Council Secretary Alexey Danilov said the measures prohibited any use or alienation of the assets. Earlier, on February 2, Zelensky introduced sanctions against three television broadcasters and their owner, parliament member from the Opposition Platform - For Life Taras Kozak.