Yefremov gets bailed out, accused of new crimes

Moreover, State Security Service chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko told Hromadske TV that Yefremov is also investigated for financing separatism. “Within the investigations of criminal cases he was served notices for, there are materials that concern his financing of separatism in Luhansk Oblast,” Nalyvaichenko said.

Yefremov’s arrest on Valentine’s Day was one of the first moves by Viktor Shokin, the new general prosecutor who was appointed last week. He was released on bail of Hr 3.7 million, paid for him by his fellow party member Borys Kolesnikov, a business tycoon who owns a confectionery empire.

On Wednesday morning, Yefremov showed up for a new round of questioning at the prosecutor’s office. He was also expected at the Pechersk court in Kyiv later in the day, where the judge was to decide on his potential new detention.

“I’m so grateful to Boris Kolesnikov, because otherwise it won’t be possible for me to speak here,” Yefremov told journalists and his supporters outside the prosecutor’s office in Podil.

Kolesnikov himself had been in a similar position before. He was arrested soon after the Orange Revolution in 2005 and accused of abuse of office, extortion and making a death threat. The charges were later dropped.

Yefremov said that the new accusations rolled out against him make no sense either. “I took a brief look at the case and, well, they just took some of my speeches at Verkhovna Rada in April-May when I said we should start negotiating with the people in the east. But I never said anything about ethnic issues.”

He did not comment on accusations of financing of separatism, though. Nalyvaichenko said that other parliament members are also investigated for alleged financing of separatism. He also said that his service will make sure that Yafremov does not escape like ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and his close circle. Yefremov said he had no plans to run away. “Today I saw that my house is patrolled by the police and I won’t flee.”

He said he was convinced that the current government was determined to jail him for murders on Maidan a year ago, and other disasters that followed. “They just need someone to blame for the Feb. 20 events (when more than 49 activists were killed in the standoff with police officers in Kyiv) and show that they have some progress in the case,” Yefremov said, adding that he had actually expected such lawlessness from the incumbents.

“I think it’s unlawful to sentence a person to make sure he is not able to share his opinion,” Yefremov said. “I wasn’t even given enough time to read my case!”

Yefremov’s appearance outside of the general prosecutor’s office was greeted by several dozen activists waving flags of Ukraine and the Party of Regions, which no longer functions. The activists, mostly elderly people, were divided in groups; some of them held posters that read “Out with dictatorship!”

They were not eager to talk to the Kyiv Post, but could be overheard discussing the fee of Her 200 for their participation in the meeting. They refused to confirm the fee on the record. “We came here to stand for peace,” one woman said.

Another activist who carried a Party of Regions flag said he came here to support Yefremov. He said he had always voted for this party. “I thought they were okay. That’s why I’m here today and I’m going to stay here until night or at least until he shows up again,” said the man who identified himself only as Vladimir. “We just call for a fair investigation of his case.”

Viktoria Parkhomenko, a 50-year-old Kyivan, stood aside of the group. She said she just wanted to see what Yefremov looks like now.

“I have only seen him on TV and wanted to see if he lost weight or not (during his three-day detention). But I am not sure he will end up in prison. They still have enough money and power to escape.”

Kyiv Post staff writer Olena Goncharova can be reached at [email protected]