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Protesters demand Zelensky’s impeachment for high treason over Wagner case

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Demonstrators gather near the President’s office in Kyiv on June 28 demanding the investigation of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky for high treason after his controversial interview about Russian military group Wagner.
Photo by Kostyantyn Chernichkin

Between 2,000 and 5,000 demonstrators gathered in front of the President’s office in Kyiv on June 28 demanding Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to be investigated for high treason. 

The protest came after Zelensky’s controversial interview on Ukrainian television where he allegedly “confessed” that he had passed information to Belarus dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko about a special operation leading to the arrest of Russian mercenaries in August. 

At least 32 Russian nationals believed to be members of the Kremlin-sponsored mercenary army Wagner Group held arrested in Belarus were sent to Russia on Aug. 14, 2020.

The transfer effectively ended Ukraine’s hope of the mercenaries’ extradition for trial over their alleged role in Russia’s war in Donbas. 

This happened despite Zelensky’s phone conversation with Aleksandr Lukashenko asking to hand the suspected militants over to Kyiv.

Within days, Ukrainian opposition parties began to consider an alleged ‘operation’ conducted by Ukrainian special services, which they believe was confirmed in Zelensky’s recent interview. 

The President’s office denied the accusations.