The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine is seeking approval for a special investigation into former Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, linked to allegations of treason regarding the 2010 Kharkiv Agreements with Russia. This request has been pending for over three months.
According to Alexander Suprun, a prosecutor involved in the case, the application was submitted to the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv back in February. Ukrainian law mandates that such requests be addressed within ten days, yet only two court sessions have occurred since then, with the latest on May 27. Gryshchenko’s defense has employed tactics to delay proceedings, including a request for his participation via video conference.
Suprun pointed out that the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine does not allow for such arrangements, emphasizing that the request for a special investigation must be considered with both the prosecutor and defense attorney present. He accused the defense of attempting to create the impression that Gryshchenko, who is currently wanted by authorities, is not evading the investigation.
“The defense is trying to delay the review of the request and is acting outside of the established legal process,” Suprun stated.
Furthermore, the prosecution faced a setback when the judge denied their request to broadcast the court sessions. The next hearing regarding the treason case, which involves the extension of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s presence in Ukraine, is scheduled for June 1.
It is noteworthy that the Prosecutor General’s Office has already secured approval for special investigations against two other individuals involved in this case: former Defense Minister Mykhailo Yezhel on March 4 and former Justice Minister Oleksandr Lavrynovych on May 15. Both are also evading authorities.
Additionally, the ongoing criminal proceedings against former President Viktor Yanukovych and former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov concerning the Kharkiv Agreements are being handled by the Shevchenkivskyi District Court.
Background:
- In April 2010, a group of individuals, including Yanukovych and Azarov, allegedly conspired to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and security by approving the Kharkiv Agreements without proper legal review.
- The agreement extended the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s stay in Ukraine for 25 years, facilitating the modernization of the fleet’s weapons and increasing its presence in Crimea and Sevastopol instead of withdrawing.
Ukrainian authorities are pressing for a special investigation into former Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko over alleged treason related to the Kharkiv Agreements. Delays in court proceedings have raised concerns about the defense's tactics to prolong the case.