Prosecutor General Irina Venediktova urged to refrain from emotional statements about the pro-Russian blogger Anatoly Shariy detained in Spain, because otherwise he and his lawyers will try to convince the court of the exceptional political basis for criminal prosecution.
“I ask everyone to slow down, get rid of unnecessary emotions. Yes, I’m talking about the detention of Shariy in Spain,” Venediktova urged.
The Prosecutor General wrote about this on the Web on May 5.
The Attorney General’s office confirmed to the Spanish Ministry of Justice plans to request the extradition of Shariy.
“I would like to ask all concerned citizens to refrain from emotional statements about the detained suspect of committing state treason and violating the equality of citizens, depending on their race, nationality, religious beliefs, disability and other grounds. deputies of all levels ,” called Venediktova.
She explained that Shariy would most likely exercise his legal right to refuse voluntary extradition . If this is the case, the blogger, with the help of his legal advisors, may resort to a variety of defense tactics. In particular, they will try to convince the competent court of the exclusive political basis for bringing Shariy to criminal responsibility.
Venediktova also stressed that the Office of the Prosecutor General never holds anyone accountable just because this or that person has some “inappropriate” political views.
“Our personal attitude towards Anatoly Shariy is decidedly professional – prosecutors believe that this person has violated the law and should be punished,” the prosecutor general said.
She also explained how an extradition request is processed. After detaining a person in the territory of another state, the court may leave the suspect in custody, release him on bail, or, for example, order him to remain under house arrest.
“In other words, the suspect Shariy (like any other suspect) will be in the extradition procedure by the time the merits are considered. At the same time, the measure of restraint is the competence of the Spanish court,” Venediktova said.
So, she added, any statements by representatives of the Ukrainian authorities against the blogger could theoretically influence the decision of the Spanish court.
“We simply do not have the right to give Shariy an additional argument,” the prosecutor general stressed.
Recall, on the morning of May 5, the SBU announced the detention of Shariy , who is charged with treason and discrimination. According to the investigation, Shariy acted to the detriment of the national security of Ukraine with his videos.
On the same day, the Spanish court released Shariy from custody on bail. His passport was confiscated and he was ordered to appear in court every 15 days.
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