Ukraine justice ministry files criminal complaint against Communist Party

Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko told a July 8 press conference that his ministry filed a criminal complaint that day against the Communist Party of Ukraine, alleging its leaders supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine and separatist forces during the armed conflicts in recent months. The 120-page compliant, which he said includes audio and video evidence, demonstrates how Communist party members aided Russia’s occupation of Crimea, helped organize separatist referenda in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, provided financing and weapons to the pro-Russian terrorists and even joined them in fighting against the Ukrainian government. A successful criminal conviction would ban the Communist Party and its symbolism on Ukrainian territory, Petrenko said.

Zenon Zawada: Such a lawsuit is a positive step taken by the current government. Prohibiting the Communist Party, an alleged sponsor of terror and separatist activity, would do a great deal in ensuring political stability in Ukraine. It’s likely that new pro-Russian political projects will emerge to fill the vacated niche. But it would be reckless for the government to allow a political party to brazenly engage in activity aimed at undermining Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.