Former State Guard Department Major Mykola Melnychenko has confirmed a statement by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) that he finished examining all 17 volumes of a criminal case opened against him regarding the divulging of state secrets.

Melnychenko also promised soon to make a number of statements on crimes allegedly committed by second Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma (1994-2005) and former Verkhovna Rada Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn.

"Firstly, I and a group of my lawyers cannot understand the essence of the divulging of state secrets and abuse of office. Secondly, I will soon make a number of statements on crimes committed by Kuchma, Lytvyn and other persons, if the investigative authorities pledge to include this information in a unified register of pre-trial investigations," he said.

Melnychenko also said that during a pre-trial investigation he is planning "to question Kuchma, Lytvyn and [ex-SBU chief Leonid] Derkach and other persons who appear in my case" and thanked presidential advisor Andriy Portnov "for giving me such an opportunity [for questioning] in connection with the adoption of the new Criminal Procedure Code."

As reported, the SBU's main investigation department on Wednesday completed a pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings launched against Melnychenko regarding the divulging of state secrets and sent the indictment to the Prosecutor General's Office. The SBU also said that the former major and his defense lawyer had finished examining the materials of the pre-trial investigation, which was launched on December 20.