Yefremov detained on charges of separatism, terrorism

Oleksandr Yefremov, the former parliamentary faction head of the Party of Regions, was detained on July 30 as a suspect in violating the territorial integrity and immunity of Ukraine, announced the same day Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko. Specifically, he is suspected in attempting to adjust the boundaries of the territory of Ukraine and supporting the Luhansk People’s Republic terrorist organization. The severity of these charges don’t allow for Yefremov to be released on bail or house arrest, Lutsenko said. Yefremov was detained in Kyiv Boryspil International Airport with a ticket for flight to Vienna, where his son lives, reported Prosecutor General spokeswoman Larysa Sarhan. 

Recall, Yefremov was accused by a rival Luhansk region power broker, Volodymyr Landik, of meeting with top Russian officials to decide the assets of the Luhansk region once the separatist activity began. The Russians allegedly promised Yefremov control of the region after the interference. Yefremov allegedly made promises of assets to his entourage under guarantees from Russian President Putin, who ultimately betrayed them, Landik said, citing members of Yefremov’s entourage.

Zenon Zawada: Finally, a top official has been detained in crimes related to the separatist and terrorist activities in the Donbas region. Lutsenko offered Yefremov a chance to cooperate with investigators and testify that high-ranking Russian officials planned the separatist and terrorist activity in Donbas from the very start, indicating that he could avoid criminal conviction. As unfortunate as that may be, Yefremov would be a key witness to the international crimes widely believed to have been premeditatedly committed by the Putin regime.

If this detention produces concrete results (today Ukrainian court should consider Yefremov’s arrest), it would bring significant capital for Lutsenko and his boss, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. It would renew Ukraine’s standing among Western leaders, as well as the Ukrainian public. Yefremov serving time in prison would be an added bonus, though we suspect he might evade that if he coughs up enough information on people like Sergei Glazyev, a top Putin advisor, planning the occupation among Luhansk power brokers, as alleged by Landik.