Due to SBU reports, People's Deputies Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak were announced suspicion, SBU Head Ivan Bakanov and Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said at a briefing.

Suspicion papers were issued in absentia and sent to the last known places of residence and work of offenders.

In particular, Medvedchuk and Kozak are suspected of treason and attempted plundering of national resources in temporarily occupied Crimea.

The SBU has strong evidence of illegal activities and cooperation of these individuals with the aggressor country.

Allegedly, in 2015 the offenders conspired with a high-ranking Russian government official to extract minerals on the Black Sea shelf (in the maritime economic zone of Ukraine, which is temporarily occupied by Russia).

According to Ivan Bakanov, "After annexation of the peninsula, occupiers began to "nationalize" enterprises, resources and other property, including illegal re-registration of legal entities. Some Ukrainian politicians are involved in exploration of the field in the occupied territory thus assisting the aggressor state". 

The briefing recorded audio conversations discussing the details of registration of Kyiv's New Projects LLC in Russia and obtaining agreements and licenses under Russian law.

The SBU Head stressed that according to expert reports, the voice of Viktor Medvedchuk and his handwriting in amendments to a Putin's letter on behalf of the company were identified.

Thus, this is the issue of damage to the economic security of Ukraine, plundering of national values in the occupied territories, assistance to a foreign state.

The charges also include disclosing of state secrets to Russian special services.

"In August 2020, Medvedchuk provided Kozak, staying in Russia, with data on deployment of a secret military unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, its personnel, and training operations for further informing of Russian special services, "Ivan Bakanov said.

The SBU is also investigating subversive activities against Ukraine, in particular development of the anti-Ukrainian Promin project.

"At first glance, it is about creating an organization that will patronize Ukrainians going to work and study in Russia. However, the real goal is to create an infrastructure of influence in the interests of the Russian Federation. The mechanisms of the Promin project will allow to collect personal data of Ukrainians, recruit them, influence the domestic policy of our state, spread propaganda. This is an anti-Ukrainian project, "Ivan Bakanov said.

To remind, earlier the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine imposed economic sanctions on V. Medvedchuk, T. Kozak and a number of affiliated companies.

Note:

According to Part 1 Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until his guilt is legally proved and established by a court conviction.