Ex-MP Lukyanov detained while trying to flee abroad

The SBU has prevented a former Party of Regions MP who contributed to Russia's armed aggression from fleeing from Ukraine, the SBU has said on 10 April. The SBU reported this on 10 April.

The former MP was detained near a border checkpoint in Odessa Region. From there, the 60-year-old figure tried to leave for a neighbouring country as a person of non-conscription age.

After the occupation of part of the region, the figurehead went to co-operate with the enemy and "re-registered" his own Internet service provider company under Russian law. In addition, he gave the FSB full access to the existing equipment, which allowed the Russian secret service to control the Internet activity of the local population," the special service said.

The former MP himself moved to the Ukrainian-controlled territory and managed the company remotely. He ordered to regularly pay funds to the Russian budget in the form of "taxes" and "fees".

By doing so, he financed the military-industrial complex of the Russian Federation and its occupation groups that are fighting against Ukraine. In addition, the attacker publicly justified the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, which he repeatedly described in the chats of pro-Kremlin Telegram channels.

Subsequently, the attacker decided to flee abroad. The detainee was reported on suspicion under part 2 of article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification, recognition of legitimate, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The issue of additional qualification of illegal activities of the defendant is also being resolved. He faces imprisonment.

The SBU did not name the detainee, but according to the photos published online, it is clear that we are talking about former MP of the 7th convocation Vladyslav Lukyanov.

Lukyanov was one of the public speakers in the media from the team of fugitive ex-president Viktor Yanukovych. After Maidan, he returned to Donbas, where he supported the militants during their seizure of power.