The Shevchenkivskyi District Court in Kyiv has ordered Nestor Shufrych, a member of the Ukrainian parliament from the banned Opposition Platform — For Life party, to be placed under round-the-clock house arrest. This decision follows allegations of treason against him, as reported by his attorney, Valeriy Bunyak.
Under the court’s ruling, Shufrych is required to remain at his registered address in the Kyiv region, except for medical emergencies or during air raid alerts. He must also wear an electronic monitoring device, surrender all travel documents, appear in court when summoned, and refrain from contacting witnesses in the case.
The Office of the Prosecutor General opposed the modification of Shufrych’s detention, arguing for the continuation of his imprisonment. Prosecutors emphasized the serious nature of the charges against him, which include treason, and expressed concerns about potential risks that they believe have not diminished.
Despite these arguments, the court decided to change Shufrych’s preventive measure to house arrest, a ruling that cannot be appealed. This case has drawn significant attention due to the gravity of the accusations.
Background on the Charges
Shufrych was formally charged with treason in August 2023. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has indicated that they have gathered substantial evidence of his anti-Ukrainian activities.
Investigative materials, compiled in collaboration with the State Bureau of Investigations and the Office of the Prosecutor General, allege that Shufrych closely collaborated with former National Security and Defense Council Secretary Volodymyr Sivkovych, who is accused of coordinating Russian agents within Ukraine.
Sivkovych fled to Moscow in 2014 and reportedly established a network aimed at undermining Ukraine. The SBU claims that one of Shufrych’s primary roles was to conduct subversive activities in the information domain, where he allegedly disseminated Kremlin narratives suggesting that Ukraine is an artificial construct and promoting the idea of a shared history between Ukrainians and Russians.
Nestor Shufrych, a Ukrainian MP facing treason charges, has been placed under house arrest by a Kyiv court. The decision follows significant allegations of his involvement in anti-Ukrainian activities and collaboration with Russian agents.