The Ukrainian Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, announced the completion of a special pre-trial investigation involving former President Viktor Yanukovych and 16 other high-ranking officials.
Kravchenko shared the update via Telegram, detailing that the investigation pertains to a criminal organization allegedly established and led by Yanukovych from 2010 to 2014. This group is accused of usurping power and exerting control over the state apparatus, comprising members from the government, parliament, law enforcement, judiciary, and local administrations.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that following Yanukovych’s refusal to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013, he decided to deploy law enforcement against protesters during the Euromaidan movement. This decision resulted in unlawful dispersals and tragic incidents from February 18 to 20, 2014, leading to the deaths of 70 individuals and injuries to over 1,200 others.
Seventeen former officials, including Yanukovych, his former prime minister, the attorney general of his administration, and leaders from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service, Ministry of Defense, and the Berkut special police unit, are now facing criminal charges. Kravchenko noted that many of the suspects are currently hiding in Russia or in occupied territories, prompting the investigation to proceed under a special in absentia procedure due to their absence.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General has finalized an investigation into Viktor Yanukovych and 16 former officials for their roles in a criminal organization that aimed to seize power. The inquiry also addresses the violent crackdown on protesters during the 2014 Euromaidan protests, resulting in numerous casualties.