Head of Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) Yuriy Lutsenko has said Ukraine intends to turn over its treason case against former President Viktor Yanukovych to court before the end of the year.
“State treason, Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, is when Yanukovych usurped power, denigrated Ukraine’s’ Armed Forces, SBU Security Service, harmed the nation’s information and economic security … when he oppressed the opposition … ordered arrests and political persecution, beatings and murders,” Lutsenko said on Oct. 28 during a meeting with representatives of relatives of the “Heavenly Hundred” heroes [the name given to dozens who died during three months of protests in Kyiv during late 2013 and early 2014]. The remarks were aired by 112.Ukraine TV Channel.
Ukraine’s PGO also intends to accuse Yanukovych of siding with the enemy by calling for Russian military intervention in Ukraine. Lutsenko said this is the final proof of Yanukovych’s treason.
“This case must go to court this year. I will insist on it, depending on how prepared we are legally [to go forward]. I will invite lawyers [for Yanukovych] to acquaint the suspect, or the accused, with the evidence against him,” Lutsenko said.
Lutsenko asked representatives of “Heavenly Hundred” relatives to study the evidence of the case and appear in court as complaintants.
Ukraine’s PGO added it is highly likely that Yanukovych will also be charged according to Article 255 of the Criminal Code (creation of a criminal organization).
Lutsenko said the latter charge is not related directly to events which occurred on Independence Square (Maidan). He said Yanukovych should first be charged with treason and then with other crimes relating to the organization of a criminal group. The latter includes alleged crimes relating to the takeover of the Sukholuch [Cedar] hunting club, privatization of Ukrtelekom, as well as other cases involving the theft of state funds and acts harmful to the nation’s economic security.
“In this manner these and other [crimes] … and there are many … dozens, perhaps, economic crimes can be handed over to courts. I would like treason to be the first case adjudicated because it explains why Yanukovych seized power in our country and what it led to. Later, depending on how ready they are, alleged economic crimes can go to court,” Lutsenko said.
The PGO head said it is necessary to consider sanctions of the European Union, which led to the arrest of assets of Yanukovych-era officials, cannot be extended indefinitely. He added banking information is usually stored for a period of five years.
“There is a threat materials from first year of Yanukovych’s presidency could be destroyed. If we delay going forward with the case, this threat will only grow,” Lutsenko said.
