The court granted permission to the SBI to carry out another special investigation into Yanukovych

The court granted permission to investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation to conduct a special investigation into former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, suspected of inciting servicemen of the Administration of State Guard of Ukraine to the desertion (Part 4 of Article 27, Part 1 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

In February 2022, investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation, upon approval of prosecutor of the Prosecutor General’s Office, notified former President Viktor Yanukovych of new suspicion of inciting servicemen of the Administration of State Guard of Ukraine to the desertion (Part 4 of Article 27, Part 1 of Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

On 24 February 2014, the former president of Ukraine, escaping criminal liability for crimes against protesters, induced the Deputy Head of the Administration of State Guard of Ukraine – the Head of the Security Service of the President of Ukraine to the desertion.

The "evacuation" of the ex-president from the vicinity of the village of Urzuf, Manhush district, Donetsk region, was assisted by russian security forces.

As a result, his security chief failed to report for the duty station from a business trip from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea territory. Instead, he and the suspect left Ukraine for russian federation.

Four people are suspected in the criminal proceedings to date. Besides Yanukovych, who directly led the illegal crossing of the state border, servicemen of the Administration of State Guard of Ukraine and a civilian have been notified of suspicion.

Procedural guidance is provided by prosecutors of the Prosecutor General’s Office.