Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
“Ukraine on the verge of disappearance,” “my nation is degrading”: former press secretary to the head of state has been notified of suspicion of state treason
Prosecutors of the Office of the Prosecutor General, together with investigators from the Main Investigation Department of the Security Service of Ukraine, have collected sufficient evidence to notify the former press secretary of the President of Ukraine of suspicion of state treason and of justifying the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
According to the investigation, she used her public profile and experience in state communications to spread information narratives favorable to the aggressor state, aimed at discrediting Ukraine and weakening its international support.
The materials on which the suspicion is based include her public statements in foreign media and social networks.
In particular, in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson she stated: “I believe that Ukraine is on the verge of disappearance,” “You see, my nation is degrading.”
She also claimed that democracy and freedom of speech are absent in Ukraine, “There is no freedom of speech. The country is full of bans. Everything is forbidden,” she said in the interview, comparing the situation in the country to the Soviet Union.
On her Facebook page the suspect spread assertions about alleged benefits from the continuation of the war, political patronage, propaganda, and persecution of dissidents.
These and other statements were actively used by Russian state and pro-Kremlin media in their propaganda materials.
As part of the investigation, forensic examinations were conducted, which found signs of destructive informational and psychological influence in the former press secretary’s statements.
Thus, based on the expert examinations conducted, it was established that her statements contain signs of violations of the foundations of national security in the information sphere. In addition, the experts concluded that there are signs of destructive informational and psychological influence aimed at harming Ukraine’s state and information security.
According to the experts’ conclusion, such influence is carried out through the spread of narratives and messages favorable to the Russian Federation and contributes to the implementation of its subversive activities against Ukraine in the information sphere.
According to the investigation’s version, the dissemination of these materials was intended to create among the international audience the impression of Ukraine as a state that does not deserve further support, and of its leadership as an obstacle to achieving peace.
At the same time, within the country such messages were aimed at increasing despair and demoralization of society.
In the opinion of the prosecution, this activity constituted assistance to the aggressor state in conducting subversive activities against Ukraine.
In addition, the suspect is accused of producing and distributing materials that contain justification of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine, which began in 2014 year, including repeatedly.
Her actions have been qualified under part 2 of Article 111, part 2 and part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The suspicion was notified in absentia in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
The pre-trial investigation is being carried out by the Main Investigation Department of the Security Service of Ukraine.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a guilty verdict of the court.
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