Ukraine pursuing criminal charges against nationalist forces

Several politicians attempted to destabilize the situation in Ukraine and fuel domestic conflict in order to draw support in the Oct. 25 local elections, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told the Cabinet of Ministers on Sept. 8. “In the nearest future, the details of the events of Aug. 31 will become well-known, which will be offered by investigative bodies,” he said. “It will be horrific when you hear of the terrorist plans and what they planned to do.” Russia is betting on internal political conflicts igniting in Ukraine, said Poroshenko, who urged political forces to consolidate.

The leader of the Odesa division of the Right Sector paramilitary group, as well as an Odesa district leader, was detained on Sept. 8, reported on Facebook the same day Giorgi Lortkipanidze, the Odesa police chief. The Odesa Right Sector leader is suspected in attacking and kidnapping a politician.  Meanwhile, the leader of the local Automaidan is incriminated in hooliganism and threatening a law enforcement officer, he reported.

Zenon Zawada: Enforcing the rule of law should be a top priority of the government, but so should ensuring equality before the law. It looks as though the Presidential Administration is targeting the nation’s top nationalist forces, the Freedom political party and the Right Sector paramilitary force, while turning a blind eye to corruption committed by the politically connected. Although the Right Sector has a checkered history with its middle-rung leaders, it’s hard to believe that Freedom party leaders would plan terrorist acts, despite its extreme rhetoric.

These nationalist forces are supported by a significant minority of the public and are critical to the pro-Western political coalition in Ukraine. Poroshenko would be better advised to find compromise with them rather than scapegoating them. If they are to be legitimately prosecuted for their crimes, then the president needs to enforce the law equally, including the cronies in Kyiv. Otherwise, he stands to antagonize a critical portion of the pro-Western coalition.