It's the first criminal case against me ever – Hrytsenko

18:42, 25.07.2018 1 min read

Civil Position Party leader and former Ukrainian Defense Minister (2005-2007) Anatoliy Hrytsenko said he is confused about Russia's decision to open a criminal case against him.

"The Russian Investigative Committee has brought charges against me and brought a criminal case in. This is the first criminal case in my entire life. Who is responsible for this – Putin's officials?" Hrytsenko told the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Wednesday.

Russia's charges are based on Hrytsenko's television appearances on Ukrainian TV channels in which he calls for repelling Russian aggression.

Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal investigation under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of Russia's Criminal Code (making public calls to commit terrorist acts). Hrytsenko is suspected of doing this twice.