Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) reported that former Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov was suspected of high treason (Part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) for ratification of the so-called “Kharkiv agreements”, according to the website of the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) on March 24.
“It has been established that on April 20, 2010, while visiting the Russian Federation, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine agreed on the conditions imposed by the representative of a foreign state, President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, to extend the stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine for 25 years under the pretext of receiving a discount on gas. From April 21 to April 23, 2010, he ensured the approval of the draft Agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the stay of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine and the law of Ukraine on its ratification by ministries, other central executive authorities and law enforcement agencies without actual consideration of these documents by authorized bodies,” the statement said.
The Prosecutor General’s Office does not name the head of government, but at that time, from March 11, 2010 to Jan. 28, 2014, this position was held by Mykola Azarov, who now lives in the Russian Federation.
The State Bureau of Investigations also confirms the information that it is about Azarov.
In addition, the former head of government in April 2010 at a closed meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine signed an order approving the said agreement by the government of Ukraine and, in violation of the law of Ukraine on international treaties of Ukraine, submitted a draft agreement for consideration to the President of Ukraine, the statement said.
Thus, the PGO emphasizes, the former Prime Minister is suspected of acting jointly and by prior agreement with the former President of Ukraine, realizing that the agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine contradicts the Constitution and the law on international treaties of Ukraine, committed actions aimed at the detriment of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability, defense capability, state and economic security of Ukraine.
“As a result of the signing and ratification of the so-called ‘Kharkiv agreements’, preconditions were artificially created for an increase in the number of Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine, the invasion of the Russian Armed Forces and their occupation of the Crimean peninsula. By his actions, the former head of the government of Ukraine provided a foreign state, the Russian Federation and its representative with assistance in carrying out subversive activities against Ukraine, which consisted in interfering in its domestic and foreign policy; attempts to reduce the economic and defense potential of Ukraine, reduce its defense capability; and strengthening of Ukraine’s economic dependence on the Russian Federation, including on the supply of Russian energy resources,” the statement said.
According to the SBI, the pretrial investigation established that the content and conditions of the agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on the stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine were imposed on Azarov by Medvedev in Moscow at 12:02 a.m. in the morning, on April 21, 2010, on the eve of signing.
“Realizing the consequences of signing the said agreement for Ukraine, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine fulfilled the role assigned to him in the commission of the crime, namely, ensured the endorsement and approval of the draft documents by the relevant officials [ministers, heads of law enforcement agencies, and on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine], contributed to the fulfillment of the interests of the Russian Federation at all stages of the ratification of the draft agreement prior to its implementation. The investigation obtained the originals of documents testifying to the deliberate actions of former Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov to the detriment of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Subsequently, this led to the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation,” the statement said.
The department also notes that these actions were committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons with then-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, who is currently hiding from the body of pretrial investigation in another state.
“In accordance with the legislation, suspicion was sent to Mykola Azarov at his last known place of residence. We remind that criminal prosecution for committing high treason has no statute of limitations,” the SBI said.
