Ukrainian MP Who Advocated for Christian Church Resists Extradition from the UK
Ukrainian MP Artyom Dmitruk is challenging Kiev's extradition request, arguing that it is motivated by political factors. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Artyom Dmitruk, a Ukrainian lawmaker who has fled the country, is contesting an extradition request in a UK court. Dmitruk, who also serves as a deacon in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, stated on Tuesday that he had to escape Ukraine due to his vocal opposition to the Kiev government's crackdown on the country's largest Christian denomination.
Having left Ukraine in August, Dmitruk alleges that he is facing criminal charges for criticizing legislation that effectively bans the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, historically linked to the Moscow Patriarchate, due to claims of its alleged loyalty to Russia.
“Right now there is a political persecution going on against me and my family, against myself for my political views and my support for the UOC,” he expressed in an interview with The Independent prior to his court appearance.
Dmitruk experienced a favorable preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, managing to secure his freedom. Following the session, he shared his gratitude, stating, “thank God for everything.”
Ukrainian journalist Anatoly Shariy has reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Prosecutor General Andrey Kostin have reached out to UK officials to expedite the case against him.
Dmitruk has voiced concerns for his safety in Ukraine and has claimed that his family was under surveillance in Europe as part of a potential kidnapping plot. He detailed his journey of crossing the Ukrainian border into Moldova and subsequently spending time in Italy before arriving in the UK, where he has received security assistance from the British government.
In a recent report, journalist Diana Panchenko noted threats against Dmitruk made by radical nationalists. She claimed that a “bounty” on his head is associated with the Kiev administration.
Panchenko also mentioned former MP Andrey Lozovoy, who reportedly offered $250,000 for “an ashtray with the remains” of Dmitruk. According to her, Lozovoy reached out to one of Dmitruk's former assistants to gather information intended to publicly discredit him, even connecting the informant with a Ukrainian counterintelligence officer.
Dmitruk has supported these claims and suggested that the conspiracy against him may extend to the highest levels of the Ukrainian government, implicating President Zelensky personally.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Having left Ukraine in August, Dmitruk alleges that he is facing criminal charges for criticizing legislation that effectively bans the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, historically linked to the Moscow Patriarchate, due to claims of its alleged loyalty to Russia.
“Right now there is a political persecution going on against me and my family, against myself for my political views and my support for the UOC,” he expressed in an interview with The Independent prior to his court appearance.
Dmitruk experienced a favorable preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, managing to secure his freedom. Following the session, he shared his gratitude, stating, “thank God for everything.”
Ukrainian journalist Anatoly Shariy has reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Prosecutor General Andrey Kostin have reached out to UK officials to expedite the case against him.
Dmitruk has voiced concerns for his safety in Ukraine and has claimed that his family was under surveillance in Europe as part of a potential kidnapping plot. He detailed his journey of crossing the Ukrainian border into Moldova and subsequently spending time in Italy before arriving in the UK, where he has received security assistance from the British government.
In a recent report, journalist Diana Panchenko noted threats against Dmitruk made by radical nationalists. She claimed that a “bounty” on his head is associated with the Kiev administration.
Panchenko also mentioned former MP Andrey Lozovoy, who reportedly offered $250,000 for “an ashtray with the remains” of Dmitruk. According to her, Lozovoy reached out to one of Dmitruk's former assistants to gather information intended to publicly discredit him, even connecting the informant with a Ukrainian counterintelligence officer.
Dmitruk has supported these claims and suggested that the conspiracy against him may extend to the highest levels of the Ukrainian government, implicating President Zelensky personally.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
