Poroshenko Detention Hearing: Supporters Clash Outside Court and Personal Recognizance Bond

Prosecutors requested arrest with an alternative of a 1 billion UAH bail.

On January 19 at 14:00, the hearing on the preventive measure for Petro Poroshenko, the fifth president of Ukraine, began. 

Earlier, clashes broke out near the Pechersk court between the politician's supporters and law enforcement officers. It is noted that law enforcement did not allow protesters outside the court building to set up street stoves and barrels for heating with open fire. 

Then scuffles began between the ex-president's supporters and law enforcement officers. The Kyiv police press service told UP that there were a sufficient number of law enforcement officers under the court to ensure public order. 

However, they found it difficult to name the exact number. They also could not comment on the reports of clashes. 

Meanwhile, Poroshenko himself posted a video near St. Michael's Cathedral and said he had prayed in the church. 

Petro Poroshenko
former President of Ukraine

Today it is very important to be in church. It is essential to pray. It is essential to have access to holy water. Because holy water, which is consecrated on this day during the corresponding rite, washes away all misfortunes and everything done by the devil. And it purifies and brings closer, so that everything will be good. I am delighted by how we held a common prayer in our church today. 

Later, Poroshenko's press secretary Svyatoslav Tsegolko said that the politician had been in church before the clashes with the court began. On January 19, Eastern Rite Christians celebrate Epiphany. 

Preventive Measure

The Pechersk court chose a preventive measure for Poroshenko on suspicion of high treason and aiding terrorist organizations. The court decided to impose a personal recognizance on the ex-president. 

The politician's supporters welcomed this decision and sang the Ukrainian anthem in the courtroom. 

Poroshenko must surrender his passports for travel abroad, not leave Kyiv or Kyiv Oblast without permission from the investigator, prosecutor or court, and appear when summoned by the investigator, prosecutor or court. The obligations are valid until March 19, 2022. 

Petro Poroshenko
former President of Ukraine

We have shown that we are not afraid of them. We are not celebrating victory, because Zelensky's crazy scenario as a complete inadequate is not yet over. 

In a statement to the media in the courtroom, Poroshenko recalled cases of fake bomb threats against facilities in Ukraine in recent days. He said these are tools of deliberate intimidation. 

In addition to People's Deputies from European Solidarity, Stefan Füle, former European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood (2010-2014), came to support Poroshenko. 

The prosecution requested a preventive measure in the form of arrest with an alternative of a 1 billion UAH bail. Prosecutors noted that Poroshenko could pressure witnesses, obstruct the investigation and conceal evidence. 

In an interview with UP Poroshenko said that any preventive measure would be a disgrace for Ukraine: «This is an obstruction of my political activity both inside the country and abroad». 

The fifth president of Ukraine is suspected of acting in pre-arranged collusion with a group of persons, including representatives of the top leadership of the Russian Federation, and of facilitating the activities of the terrorist organizations the "LNR" and the "DNR". 

The sanctions of the articles provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to 15 years with or without confiscation of property.