Ukrainian court rejects arrest warrant for former President Poroshenko Petro Poroshenko News

Petro Poroshenko is being investigated for treason in a case allegedly prepared by allies of his successor, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A Ukrainian judge has rejected a request by a prosecutor to arrest former President Petro Poroshenko in a treason case.

Judge Oleksiy Sokolov said on Wednesday that Poroshenko should instead appear before prosecutors and investigators when asked to do so.

Poroxenko is doing it investigated for treason in a case he claims to have been prepared by allies of his successor, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Poroshenko, 56, who served as president from 2014 to 2019, was investigated for high treason and left Ukraine in December.

The 2014-15 illegal coal sales are being investigated in connection with the financing of Russian-backed separatist fighters. He pleaded guilty to 15 years in prison and charged Zelensky with reckless attempt to silence the opposition by his party.

Zelenskyy’s administration says prosecutors and the judiciary are independent, accusing Poroshenko of being above the law.

One of the richest men in town, Poroshenko flew back to Kiev on Monday, after a month out, he promised to help Ukraine deal A possible invasion of Russia.

His return is coming Ukraine is facing its biggest crisis Russia, which is home to tens of thousands of troops, arouse fears of an offensive and triggering Western warnings.

Dressed in a traditional embroidered shirt, Poroshenko appeared in court on Wednesday as thousands of his supporters demonstrated outside, waving and waving flags and briefly clashing with police before the hearing.

Judge Sokolov dismissed Poroshenko’s request for the arrest of the prosecutor’s office and set the equivalent of $ 35 million.

Poroshenko and his supporters applauded the decision and began singing the national anthem in court.

“This is not yet a victory, this is the first step in the right direction,” Poroshenko said.

However, the court ordered Poroshenko to leave his passport, de facto banning him from leaving the country.

Poroshenko said he had been invited to visit at least three foreign countries and would appeal.

“The seizure of my passport hinders my political activity. Restricting my stay in Kiev hinders my internal political activity. ”

He was elected president in 2014, the same year Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine and as fighting escalated between troops in Kiev and Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Kiev.

Authorities say they are investigating dozens of alleged crimes involving Poroshenko. A court in Kiev froze his property in early January.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, meeting with Zelenskyy Kiev, has called on Ukrainian leaders to present a united front against Russia.

“I think one of Moscow’s long-standing goals has been to try to sow divisions between and within countries, and we just can’t and won’t let them do that,” he said.

Poroshenko also called for unity, saying: “The aggressor’s conduct requires national consensus.”