A Ukrainian member of parliament, Oleksandr Ponomaryov, suspected of collaborating with Russia in the occupied southeast, has been arrested and taken into custody pending trial on treason charges. The prosecutor general’s office made the announcement, stating that Ponomaryov, who belonged to a now-banned party accused of ties to Russia, was detained without bail by the Pechersk district court in Kyiv. The allegations have been denied by Ponomaryov, but the Security Service of Ukraine claims he willingly collaborated with Russia during his time in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region.
Oleksandr Ponomaryov’s arrest comes amid serious allegations of collaboration with Russia while he was in the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region. Despite the accusations, Ponomaryov has previously denied any collaboration with Russia. However, the court has deemed it necessary to detain him while the investigation proceeds, and he awaits trial on the treason charges.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine, Ponomaryov is accused of various acts of collaboration with Russia. This includes re-registering his businesses in the occupied area under Russian laws, transferring funds to local branches of Russian banks, supplying the Russian military with “fuel-oil materials” for their vehicles, and providing equipment used in constructing fortifications.
Ukrainian investigative media outlet Schemes, affiliated with RFE/RL, recently published an article about Ponomaryov, shedding further light on his actions during the conflict. The article stated that he had spent six months in Berdyansk, a port city in the Zaporizhzhia region that was captured by Russian forces during the early days of the February 2022 invasion. Ponomaryov’s interview published as part of the article indicated that he had been detained by Russian forces on March 20, 2022, subjected to imprisonment and torture. He claimed to have rejected offers to collaborate with the Russians for the sake of both his businesses and himself, resulting in the seizure of all his businesses, which are now under Russian control.
The case of Oleksandr Ponomaryov’s alleged collaboration with Russia carries significant implications, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The court’s decision to detain him reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation. As the legal process unfolds, the case will be closely watched, as it touches on sensitive issues of national security and sovereignty, as well as potential implications for political relations between Ukraine and Russia.