14:17 30.07.2016

MP Onyschenko says he is in London, seeking political asylum there

2 min read
MP Onyschenko says he is in London, seeking political asylum there

Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Onyschenko, who is suspected of abuses during the sale of gas produced with the involvement PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia, has said that he is in London, in the process of getting a residence permit, and is seeking political asylum in the UK.

"I have submitted documents for a residency permit in London. I have submitted all the data... I am ready to undergo all the investigative actions," Onyschenko said on the phone on the 112.Ukraina TV channel on Friday.

Speaking about how he has taken the intention of Ukrainian law enforcers to put him on the wanted list, the MP said: "Let them put me there... I will defend myself here in an open European Court... I have evidence that this is a political case."

Onyschenko also said that he intends to seek political asylum in the UK. "I have already submitted documents for getting political asylum," he said.

When asked about whether he was going to lay down the mandate of a member of the Verkhovna Rada, Onyschenko said: "No ... I'm going to prove my innocence and will do everything for this."

The lawmaker also complained that his Ukrainian business has been taken from him.

As was earlier reported, on June 22 Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office made public the scheme of gas production and sales involving PJSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia. As a result of this gas scheme, the state suffered damage in the amount of UAH 3 billion.

Ukraine's parliament on July 5 voted to allow law enforcers to hold Onyschenko's liable and to detain and arrest him. On July 27, Head of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko signed the indictment for Onyschenko.

Meanwhile, using his immunity from prosecution, Onyschenko left Ukraine. Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine Nazar Kholodnytsky said that MP Onyschenko was currently in Russia.

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