Former officer of the State Guard Department Mykola Melnychenko has explained his return to Ukraine from the United States by the fact that he had more chances to survive in Ukraine than in the United States.

"[I was led by] the self-preservation instinct. Today I have much more chance of survival in Ukraine than in the United States," he told journalists at Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv, which is to select a measure of restraint for the ex-major today.

"I was informed that my life was in danger," he added.

When asked who threatened him in the United States, the former bodyguard of Second Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said: "Very influential people, who don't want Melnychenko to survive and give evidence."

Melnychenko stressed that he had returned "to stay alive and undergo trial," and added that he had never committed a crime.

He also stated that he was ready to testify in the criminal case on the murder of people's deputy Yevhen Scherban in 1996.

"If the Prosecutor General's Office has questions [on the Scherban case], I am ready to answer them," he said.

"I will testify on all cases under investigation," the ex-major said.

He also told journalists that following his arrest at Boryspil airport he was questioned at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO). However, he did not mention any details, explaining that he signed a non-disclosure agreement.

When asked whether he underwent pressure by investigators, Melnychenko said: "Can I be oppressed?"

In November 2000, scandal broke out in Ukraine after the parliament announced there were audio recordings allegedly made by Melnychenko in the office of then President Leonid Kuchma. Melnychenko was charged with divulging state secrets, exceeding his powers and using forged documents.

In September 2011, Melnychenko was put on the wanted list. A court in Kyiv ordered that he be remanded in custody, as Melnychenko had skipped bail and absconded.

Melnychenko was arrested in Italy on August 3. On August 14, an appellate court in Naples decided to release him.

Melnychenko was detained at Kyiv's Boryspil International Airport on October 24, where he had arrived on a flight from New York.