Ukraine probes surveillance of ex US envoy
Published on: Saturday, January 18, 2020
By: AFP
KIEV: Ukraine said it has launched an investigation into alleged illegal surveillance of former US ambassador Marie Yovanovitch (pic), who is now a key figure in President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry.Trump has denied accusations that he pressured Ukrainian officials to investigate political rival Joe Biden, part of the impeachment inquiry that threatens the US leader with removal from office.ADVERTISEMENT
Ukraine said it decided to act after fresh documents were released by US Democrats detailing the controversial removal of Yovanovitch, who served as the US ambassador to Ukraine for nearly three years before she was abruptly called back to the United States in May.
The newly acquired files showed Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani working with Ukrainian-born American Lev Parnas last year to pressure Kiev to investigate Biden.
They also showed Giuliani and Parnas, working with Ukrainian officials, trying to force out Yovanovitch, who was eventually removed by Trump.
The files reportedly detailed exchanges in which Yovanovitch’s location was discussed, indicating she may have been under surveillance. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said it could not ignore “illegal activities” on its territory.ADVERTISEMENT
“Ukraine’s position is not to interfere in the domestic affairs of the United States of America,” the ministry said in a statement.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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“However, the published references cited by the Washington Post contain a possible violation of the law of Ukraine and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects the rights of a diplomat on the territory of the foreign country,” it said.
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“Our goal is to investigate whether there actually was a violation of Ukrainian and international law,” the ministry added. – AFP