The appeal of ex-president Viktor Yanukovych was added to the materials of Euromaidan cases; thus, the document will be considered within the current investigation process, and there will be no separate proceeding under Yanukovych’s appeal as he requested. Serhiy Hobratyuk, the head of special investigation department of Prosecutor General’s Office reported that on Tuesday afternoon.
‘The appeal by Yanukovych was added to the case about murders of policemen during Euromaidan protests in 2014 and the case about crimes committed against Euromiadan activists,’ Horbatyuk explained.
Earlier today, lawyer Vitaliy Serdyuk noted that Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine had agreed it is necessary to look into the so-called ‘coup d’etat’ in Ukraine (clearly referring to the events of Euromaidan protests in Ukraine in late 2013 and early 2014, - 112 International). That foresees checks of actions and assets of many high-ranked officials. Serdyuk added that in his appeal, Yanukovych asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate ‘deliberate organized actions aiming to harm national interests of Ukraine and to seize power in the state by force.’
Previously, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said there would be a separate proceeding under Yanukovych’s appeal.
Earlier, Yanukovych ceased showing before court, as the Ukrainian side charged him with state treason and initiated the trial in absentia. The Prosecutor General’s Office said that despite his denial, the trial will continue.
Yanukovych's regime was toppled during the anti-government protests in Ukraine in late 2013 and early 2014. In February 2014, as the face-off between activists and the government forces reached climax, Yanuikovych fled the country and escaped to Russia. He's been residing there ever since.