Ukraine Investigates Case Of Former MP Who Fled To Belarus

He left Ukraine a week before the Russian invasion began.

Ukraine has launched a pre-trial investigation in absentia against former Verkhovna Rada MP Oleh Voloshyn. A court has issued a corresponding authorization. Voloshin left Ukraine a week before the Russian invasion in 2022 and went to Belarus, writes Radye Svaboda.

According to the materials available to Radio Svaboda, a criminal case against Voloshin was launched back in late January 2022. At first, the ex-deputy was charged with treason, which is punishable by long-term 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 public functions. This violation can be punished by a large fine, restriction of freedom or short-term imprisonment with a ban on holding office.

The evidence in the case includes video materials from the propaganda program "SASS is authorized to declare", which was broadcast on the Belarusian state TV channel STV until June 2025. The program was hosted by Voloshin's wife Nadezhda Sass. The investigation analyzed the episodes from December 2022 to February 2023.

According to the conclusions of the examination, Oleg Voloshin's statements contained elements of propaganda, indicating support for the actions of the military and political leadership of Russia during the aggression against Ukraine. Such statements, according to experts, could form anti-government sentiments in the Ukrainian society and damage the sovereignty, territorial integrity and information security of the country.

The investigation also claims that Voloshyn left for Belarus on February 13, 2022, and was on Russian territory during the days when Russia was deciding to invade Ukraine.

Oleh Voloshyn previously worked as a spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych, and after the change of power he headed the international department of the 112-Ukraine TV channel. His wife also worked for media resources that were linked to Viktor Medvedchuk, a cousin of Vladimir Putin.

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