You're reading: Ex-Ukrainian President Yanukovych ready to testify to Ukrainian authorities via video link

Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is ready to give testimony to Ukrainian investigative and judicial bodies through a video link, and therefore there are no grounds for starting the procedure of Yanukovych's conviction in absentia, the ex-president's lawyer Vitaliy Serdiuk said.

“Yanukovych has made a clear request that his opinion be listened to via a video conference,” Serdiuk told Interfax-Ukraine on July 28.

The relevant documents on Yanukovych’s willingness to give testimony were forwarded to Ukraine’s judicial authorities, but “the investigative and judicial bodies are unwilling to listen to him,” he said.

The lawyer insisted that there are no reasons for starting a procedure of the former president’s conviction in absentia, as the possible grounds include a suspect’s placement on an interstate wanted list, while Yanukovych has not been placed on such a list, and a suspect’s unwillingness to collaborate with the investigation.

“As these two mandatory preconditions do not exist, the procedure of conviction in absentia cannot be legally started,” Serdiuk said.