Kharkiv - Arsen Avakov, a former head of the Kharkiv regional administration and chairman of the regional branch of the Batkivschyna arty, has suggested that he might apply for political asylum in a foreign country if need be, but noted that it is too early to talk about this now.
"It’s too early to talk about this. Let’s first deal with an extradition hearing," Avakov, who is currently in Italy, said in an interview with the Web publication golovne.com, which is part of his media assets.
"Anyway, I don’t rule out that such a necessity could arise, which will depend on a lot of factors," Avakov said.
He reiterated that he is so far waiting for a court’s ruling on his extradition to Ukraine.
"The court is currently examining documents provided by the Ukrainian Interior Ministry along with an extradition warrant. After that, these materials will be provided to the defense team and examined by lawyers. And then the final court hearing will be held. By the way, just as I expected, the Ukrainian justice system is not hurrying to provide materials, and therefore the proceedings are being dragged out," Avakov said.
He said he expected the court to hand down an impartial and unbiased ruling.
It was reported earlier that Avakov had been charged on January 31, 2012, with "abuse of office leading to serious consequences" through unlawfully expropriating 55 hectares of land near the village of Pisochyn in Kharkiv region and changing its status. He was also declared internationally wanted, and the Chervonozavodsky District Court in Kharkiv granted an investigator’s request on sanctioning his arrest.
Information on Avakov’s detention in Frosinone, Italy, was confirmed on March 27. After that, the leadership of Batkivschyna sent letters to the Interpol secretary-general and the Italian government, asking them to take into consideration "obvious political motives" behind Avakov’s criminal prosecution and release him.
A Rome court ruled to release Avakov from custody on April 12.
Avakov led Kharkiv Regional State Administration from February 2004 until February 2010.
Batkivschyna leader is former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is currently serving a seven-year prison term for abuse of office in signing gas supply agreements with Russia in 2009.
