Zelenskyy imposed sanctions against his former Head of Office
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions against the former Head of the President's Office, Andriy Bohdan. The corresponding decree was signed on May 2 and enacts the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, as reported by "Ukrainska Pravda".
Andriy Bohdan
This time, five individuals were included in the sanctions list. Among them is Andriy Yosypovych Bohdan, a citizen of Ukraine, whose date of birth matches the data of the former Head of the President's Office.
The website of the President of Ukraine reports that the actions of these individuals threaten the national interests, security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Besides Bohdan, sanctions were also imposed against Ukrainian businessman Bohdan Pukish, who is referred to as an associate of Putin's godfather Viktor Medvedchuk, Russian businessman Alan Kirukhin, as well as two representatives of Russian Olympic sports — Stanislav Pozdnyakov and Mikhail Mamiashvili.
The restrictions include deprivation of state awards of Ukraine, asset blocking, cessation of trade operations, obstacles to capital withdrawal outside the country, termination of licenses and and permits, and a ban on participation in privatization and leasing of state property.
The sanctions are imposed for 10 years. The deprivation of state awards is indefinite.
Andriy Bohdan headed the Presidential Administration of Ukraine in May 2019, immediately after Zelenskyy's victory in the presidential elections. However, already in February 2020, he was dismissed, and his place was taken by Andriy Yermak.
Zelenskyy later stated that he initially considered Bohdan for the position of Prosecutor General, but over time concluded that working in the President's Office negatively affected him and made him confrontational.
After his dismissal, Bohdan himself sharply criticized Zelenskyy and his team. He also later claimed that deputies from the "Servant of the People" party receive money in envelopes for necessary votes in the Verkhovna Rada.