“They Wanted to Overthrow Ukraine’s Constitutional Order for Russia’s Benefit”: Leader of “Anti-Vaccination Network” Arrested with Alternative of 1 Million UAH Bail

According to the SBU, an attempt to create new pseudo-state separatist formations along the lines of the “LPR/DPR” was prevented.

On November 16, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) blocked the “anti-vaccination network” and served its leader Ostap Stakhiv with a notice of suspicion of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and collaborating for the benefit of Russian agents.

The following day, the court failed to select a preventive measure for Stakhiv, as he did not appear at the hearing. 

Today, November 18, the Halytskyi District Court in Lviv remanded Stakhiv in custody for two months, while a “rally” by the suspect’s supporters took place outside the courthouse.

We detail the charges against him, as well as the circumstances of the events.

Details from the SBU

On November 16, the SBU reported blocking the activities of a “destructive anti-Ukrainian network” which, under “anti-vaccination” slogans, tried to destabilize the socio-political situation in the country. 

Thus, the perpetrators called for the violent change of the constitutional order. Preliminary data indicates that their actions were coordinated by Russian handlers.

As a result of simultaneous special operations by the SBU in several regions of Ukraine, the activities of the anti-Ukrainian group were halted, the security service said.

The leader of the so-called “anti-vaccinators” and another suspect, a citizen of Russia, were notified of suspicion under Article 109 “Actions aimed at the violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or the seizure of state power” of the Criminal Code.

The article provides for imprisonment for a term of five to ten years with or without confiscation of property.

The SBU has “unconditional evidence” of the suspects’ involvement in illegal activity, including correspondence in which the perpetrators sought weapons and accomplices who were to seize power in the respective regions. 

During authorized searches, evidence was seized indicating possible financing of their activities by Russian representatives. Investigative actions are ongoing.

Measures to expose the perpetrators were carried out by SBU departments in Lviv, Chernihiv and Mykolaiv regions.

Stakhiv’s Summons to Court

The following day, November 17, the Halytskyi District Court in Lviv failed to select a preventive measure for Stakhiv, as he did not appear at the hearing.

It is known that Stakhiv was not detained; he was required to come to court himself under a summons. After this, the court decided to detain Stakhiv and bring him to the hearing. 

Meanwhile, Stakhiv’s lawyers were at court. They explained his absence by saying he was allegedly ill and receiving treatment in a hospital.

However, the documents they submitted were not properly certified, so the court could not take them into account.

Today, November 18, the court remanded Stakhiv in custody. Prosecutors had asked for Stakhiv to be arrested for two months with an alternative of posting bail of 1 million hryvnias. 

The judge granted the motion and ordered arrest until January 16 with the option to post bail of 1 million hryvnias.

If the bail is paid, Stakhiv will be obliged not to leave the city of Lviv without the investigators’ consent.

Stakhiv, for his part, accuses Ukraine’s authorities of a “political decision” and states that “they have no evidence,” as well as that “prison will not stop my struggle.”

During the hearing, both his supporters and opponents gathered outside the courthouse, separated by police lines.

Video from a local outlet shows about a hundred of Stakhiv’s fans gathering near the court. They shout “Freedom for Ostap!”

Dozens of his opponents, mostly carrying symbols of nationalist groups, shouted “Stakhiv behind bars” in opposition to his supporters.