Munmun Kaur
Published On: December 24, 2021 at 19:09 IST
Ukraine’s top Court has summoned President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Lawsuit lodged by his predecessor Petro Poroshenko. This came after Poroshenko was named as a suspect in a treason investigation.
As per the Court spokeswoman Mariya Shvenko, Zelensky is supposed to testify at a hearing by Ukraine’s Supreme Court on February 28. The lawsuit was filed by Poroshenko in August after Zelensky’s interview in which he Accused his rival of being involved in trade with pro-Russian separatists. Although, Poroshenko has denied the Charges and also asked the Court to Order Zelensky to provide proof of his claims.
Apparently, Poroshenko has been named a suspect in the treason probe. He is Accused of helping the separatists who control two eastern regions sell coal to Kiev.
The authorities have been investigating a dozen of alleged crimes in which Poroshenko’s involvement has been suspected. Poroshenko has denied all the Charges and has also said that the latest charges cross a red line.
Poroshenko’s close ally Oleksandr Turchynov who is a former Parliament speaker said that the treason probe was another Case orchestrated by the incumbent President.
In 2019, Poroshenko lost to Zelenski- a comedian with no previous political experience in the Presidential elections. Zelenski has pledged to uproot corruption and has taken upon himself to investigate officials from the previous administration.