The Ukrainian Justice Ministry has asked Kiev's District Administrative Court to ban the country's Communist Party,? the ministry announced Tuesday.
The request is based on various alleged indiscretions, including support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, support for Russia's annexation of Crimea, and calls for changes to Ukraine's territorial integrity and constitutional order, according to a statement released by the Justice Ministry.
"After having analyzed a large amount of evidence provided by law enforcement authorities, the Security Service and the Prosecutor General concerning the illegal activities of the Communist Party of Ukraine, I have signed and submitted a claim to have the party banned," Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko said at a briefing of the Ukrainian Cabinet on Tuesday, according to the ministry.
As early as May, Oleksandr Turchynov — who served as acting president prior to Petro Poroshenko's inauguration — spoke of a possible Communist Party ban because of its "complicity in terrorist and separatist activities." Turchynov also accused the leader of the Ukrainian Communist Party, Petro Symonenko, of spreading "Russian propaganda."
The Ukrainian Communist party was banned in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, but was reinstated two years later. During the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych — who was ousted in February after months of street protests — the party served in a coalition with the ruling Party of Regions.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.