Yanukovych-era counterintel chief arrested in Ukraine
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 10 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Yanukovych-era counterintel chief arrested in Ukraine, 10 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea87014.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 10, 2014
A state security officer who was Ukraine's counterintelligence chief in the final weeks of former President Viktor Yanukovych's rule has been arrested on suspicion of "high treason."
The head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), Valentyn Nalyvaychenko, said in a televised interview late on November 9 that Volodymyr Bik is suspected of helping "a foreign country to prepare saboteur activities in Ukraine."
Nalyvaychenko said Bik was arrested on November 8.
He had been appointed on February 5, weeks before Yanukovych fled to Russia following huge protests over his decision to abandon plans to tighten ties with Europe.
Nalyvaychenko said investigators are still searching for former SBU chief Oleksandr Yakymenko, who is wanted for alleged giving a command to shoot at the protesters.
Yakymenko and Bik disappeared after Yanukovych's ouster.
Nalyvaychenko said 25 high treason probes have been launched against Yanukovych-era SBU officials.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
