Former MP Novinsky notified in absentia of suspicion under two articles of Criminal Code
The former MP of Ukraine from the Party of Regions and the Opposition Bloc, who spread pro-Russian narratives through religious communities of the Russian Orthodox Church in various European countries, has been notified of suspicion of treason and violation of the equality of citizens, the Security Service of Ukraine reported on its website on Saturday without indicating the suspect's name.
As Interfax-Ukraine learned, the suspect is Vadim Novinsky, an MP of the Verkhovna Rada of the VII-IX convocations (2013-2022). He was notified of the suspicion in absentia.
"Based on the evidence obtained, the defendant has been notified in absentia of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 1 of Article 111 (high treason); Part 2 of Article 161 (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, regional affiliation and religious beliefs, committed by an organized group of persons). Comprehensive measures are ongoing to bring the suspect to justice for the crimes committed against our state," the SBU reported.
The special service reported documented new facts of subversive activity by the ex-MP, who is hiding abroad and publicly justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.
"After the start of the full-scale war, the defendant left for the European Union on a charter flight, where he continued to work in the interests of Russia. According to the case materials, the former MP was in direct contact with Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill (Gundyaev) and used the religious communities subordinate to him in the EU countries to disperse Russian propaganda. In particular, as the investigation established, he attracted foreign parishioners to discredit Ukraine in the international arena," the report says.
As reported, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine decided to impose personal sanctions against Vadim Novinsky on December 1, 2022, and they were later expanded. According to the SBU materials, Novinsky's property worth more than UAH 3.5 billion was seized in 2023.
