Lithuania has annulled all refugee status documents for Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Sharij, who is facing treason charges in Ukraine, and declared him persona non grata.
This is reported by the Ukrayinska Pravda media outlet's informed source in law enforcement agencies, as well as a source of the Ukrainian-registered European Pravda media outlet, who is aware of details of the respective case.
Read alsoKyiv court issues warrant for pro-Russian blogger Sharij's arrest – media
The sources say it happened on May 10, 2021. Immediately after that, Sharij's lawyers filed an inquiry to study the grounds behind such a decision and were given the relevant materials.
According to available information, Sharij has hired one of the most expensive law firms in Lithuania.
European Pravda's source says Sharij was deprived of refugee status he was granted in 2012.
"He received refugee status in Lithuania. It was during [Viktor] Yanukovych's presidency, when it seemed that he was fleeing from the Yanukovych regime," the source said.
However, Sharij claims on Telegram that he has allegedly heard about this for the first time.
Sharij case
- On February 16, 2021, the SBU Security Service of Ukraine said it had put forward criminal charges against Sharij.
- The charges were brought under the two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – Part 1 of Article 111 (High treason) and Part 1 of Article 161 (Violation of equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, religious beliefs, disability, or other grounds).
- Investigators say he illegally acted to the detriment of Ukraine's national security in the media domain and in favor of foreign actors.
- On February 25, 2021, the SBU put Sharij on the wanted list.
- On March 1, 2021, the SBU notified the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office that false information had been provided during the re-registration of the Party of Sharij.
