Deputy interior minister resigns as blockpost investigation begins

The Cabinet of Ministers dismissed Deputy Interior
Minister Oleksandr Gogilashvili on Dec. 13 after he tendered his resignation.
The move comes as an investigation into his behavior at a checkpoint in Donetsk
Oblast gets under way. Video has appeared in which he threatens the officers
requesting his documents. Gogilashvili has publicly apologized for his temper
and promised to cooperate with investigators.

A similar occurrence was recorded in November in Kyiv,
in which Gogilashvili berated police officers for not recognizing him,
pravda.com.ua reported on Dec. 12.

Gogilashvili’s ties to Russia are being uncovered, as
he also has a Russian passport and tax number. His wife, Maria Levchenko, is a
personal assistant of President Zelensky. The president called for
Gogilashvili’s dismissal on Dec. 12.

James Hydzik: The government was correct to cut this scandal quickly, in spite of
Gogilashvili’s connections. The possibility of this affair generating a media
storm is far less likely now, even if the investigation uncovers more damaging
material. His currently known ties to Russia, while potentially embarrassing to
the Interior Ministry, appear to be stagnant and are unlikely to create further
ripples.