The Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal case into former President Petro Poroshenko based on a complaint filed by an ex-adviser to one of Poroshenko's predecessors, Viktor Yanukovych, accusing the former head of state of treason, the bureau's press service said on Tuesday
KIEV (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st May, 2019) The Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation has opened a criminal case into former President Petro Poroshenko based on a complaint filed by an ex-adviser to one of Poroshenko's predecessors, Viktor Yanukovych, accusing the former head of state of treason, the bureau's press service said on Tuesday.Andriy Portnov claimed on Monday that Poroshenko committed treason when he sent Ukrainian sailors to the Russia-controlled Kerch Strait last November instead of realizing that the servicemen would likely either be captured or killed in the process. According to Portnov, Poroshenko's actions aimed to undermine the country's national security and defense capabilities.
"[The case concerns] the events of November 25, 2018, related to the passage of a task force of the Ukrainian Armed Force's Navy from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov in the Kerch Strait area. A pre-trial investigation has been launched," the press service said.
The case was opened based on articles of the Criminal Code related to treason, abuse of power, attempts to overthrow the country's constitutional order and seizure of power, the press service added.
Three Ukrainian naval vessels tried to pass through the Kerch Strait in November without obtaining permission from Russia, thereby crossing the country's sea border illegally. Russia seized the ships and detained the Ukrainian servicemen who were on board.
Portnov left Ukraine a few years ago when he faced embezzlement allegations but returned to Kiev after the case was dropped in March.
