Ukrainian Ex-President Poroshenko Accused of Treason
- Poroshenko’s lawyers say the move is “politically motivated”
- Prosecutors summon ex-president for questioning Dec. 23
Petro Poroshenko
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Ukraine’s former President Petro Poroshenko is suspected of state treason for purchasing coal from war-torn regions controlled by Russian-backed fighters in the nation’s east, according to law enforcement.
A prosecutor signed a notice of suspicion for Poroshenko, who is now traveling abroad, for spending state money to buy coal from Kremlin-backed separatists, making Ukraine’s economy dependent on Russia and undermining efforts to diversify it. Poroshenko may face as long as 15 years in prison and the possible confiscation of assets, the State Bureau of Investigation said Monday in a website statement.