Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday stated he had revoked the citizenship of Viktor Medvedchuk, as soon as seen as Russian chief Vladimir Putin’s prime ally in Kyiv and accused of excessive treason.
Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian lawmaker who was handed over to Russia in a prisoner alternate final September, was stripped of his citizenship together with three others, Zelensky stated in his every day tackle.
Primarily based on supplies ready by Ukraine’s safety and state migration companies and in accordance with the structure, “I’ve determined to terminate the citizenship of 4 individuals,” Zelensky stated.
He stated the actions had been applicable for individuals who “select to serve not the individuals of Ukraine, however the murderers who got here to Ukraine”.
Zelensky additionally warned that these wouldn’t be “the final such selections.”
Medvedchuk was one in all greater than 50 prisoners handed over to Russia in September in alternate for 215 Ukrainian imprisoned troopers.
The swap was the most important alternate between the warring sides because the begin of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
The Ukrainian tycoon was captured in April final 12 months by Ukraine’s particular companies, after fleeing residence arrest when Russia invaded.
The super-rich powerbroker — as soon as dubbed the “darkish prince” of Ukrainian politics — was accused of excessive treason and making an attempt to steal pure assets from Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian navy secrets and techniques to Moscow.
The others to lose their Ukrainian citizenship embrace Andriy Derkach — an alleged Russian agent and rich former member of the Ukraine parliament.
In June Derkach was accused by the Ukrainian authorities of supporting Russia’s invasion and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The US Justice Division has stated Derkach additionally took half in an effort to smear President Joe Biden over his son Hunter Biden’s Ukraine ties.
One other to lose their Ukrainian citizenship, Taras Kozak, has been accused by the US of being concerned in operations by Russia’s FSB intelligence service to undermine the Ukrainian authorities and economic system.
Renat Kuzmin, additionally a Ukrainian politician suspected of hyperlinks with Russia, was the fourth man Zelensky stated can be stripped of his citizenship.