In the high-profile corruption case, investigators claim People's Deputy Yurchenko demanded kickbacks for legislative work.
Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova says she has signed a suspicion notice and a motion asking the court to remand in custody People's Deputy Oleksandr Yurchenko on corruption-related charges.
The statement, made via Facebook, marks a rollback from her previous decision not to approve charges over the alleged lack of evidence incriminating the MP.
"The criminal saga associated with the people's deputy sees its logical and legitimate continuation. Together with the SAPO [Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office] prosecutors in this case, we spent several hours studying the materials (I emphasize – materials, not memos or drafts drawn up on my behalf) of this criminal proceeding, in As a result, I made a decision and, accordingly, undertook responsibility at the same time, to sign the suspicion notice and a petition to select a preventive measure – custody remand – for the deputy," wrote Venediktova.
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"If law enforcers want to see a reliable partner in me, they must follow the letter of the law. I will not limit the constitutional rights of citizens with or without special status before I study the case file. This is my principled condition, and I'm not going to give it up. Influencing me through journalists or activists is in vain, which I've already proved many times with my action," the top prosecutor wrote, also recalling that "accidental leaks" of criminal case file materials to the media is illegal.
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"I am beyond politics. Offenses have no political features or immunities – none. And that's the point. The overall goal is a tough response to corruption in government. The conversation is short with violators of law," Venediktova said, adding that her procedural decisions come as a result of studying "professionally drafted case file materials submitted for consideration."