Ukraine investigates case of former MP who fled to Belarus just before the war
Ukraine has initiated an in-absentia pre-trial investigation against former Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleg Voloshyn. The court issued the corresponding permit. Voloshyn left Ukraine a week before the start of the Russian invasion in 2022 and traveled to Belarus, writes "Radio Svaboda".
Oleg Voloshyn. Photo: "Radio Svaboda"
As follows from the materials held by "Radio Svaboda", a criminal case against Voloshyn was opened back in late January 2022. Initially, the ex-deputy was accused of high treason, which carries a penalty of lengthy imprisonment with possible confiscation of property.
In December 2025, another article was added to the charges — failure to submit a declaration by a person performing state functions. This violation can be punished by a large fine, restriction of liberty, or short-term imprisonment with a ban on holding positions.
Among the evidence in the case are video materials from the propaganda program "SASS Upolnomochen Zayavit" (SASS Authorized to Declare), which aired on the Belarusian state TV channel STV until June 2025. The program was hosted by Voloshyn's wife, Nadezhda Sas. The investigation analyzed episodes from December 2022 to February 2023.
According to expert conclusions, Oleg Voloshyn's statements contained elements of propaganda indicating support for the actions of Russia's military-political leadership during the aggression against Ukraine. Such statements, according to specialists, could have formed anti-government sentiments in Ukrainian society and caused harm to the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and information security.
The investigation also claims that on February 13, 2022, Voloshyn traveled to Belarus, and during the days when Russia was making the decision to invade Ukraine, he was on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Earlier, Oleg Voloshyn worked as press secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine during Viktor Yanukovych's presidency, and after the change of power, he headed the international department of the "112-Ukraine" TV channel. His wife also worked for media resources linked to Viktor Medvedchuk — Vladimir Putin's crony.
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