The Pechersky District Court in Kyiv has ordered a search of political talk show host Savik Shuster’s home and studio as part of an investigation into allegations of tax evasion, said Pavlo Elizarov, a managing partner of Shuster’s internet 3S.tv station.
“We think that this is a renewal of pressure [against Shuster],” Elizarov wrote on his Facebook page, where he also published copies of the court’s decision.
Elizarov said that the decision was made “in a closed hearing” without the presence Shuster’s lawyers.
“These are regards from (Prime Minister Volodymyr) Groysman and (President Petro) Poroshenko. According to this request, Savik (Shuster) was summoned for questioning,” Elizarov said. “(Shuster) gave all the needed document, but they want to finish us.”
The State Fiscal Service claims Shuster has not submitted the declaration of a roughly €1.34 million loan he received back in 2008. The government suspects him of tax evasion of personal income in excess of Hr 2.1 million ($80,770).
In an interview with the Kyiv Post last month, Shuster worried of political pressure against him, and called the tax evasion charges bogus.
Earlier, on April 26, 2016, the State Employment Service stripped Shuster of the work permit in Ukraine. However, this decision was cancelled in two days, on April 28, after a public outcry.
Kyiv Post staff writer Denys Krasnikov can be reached at [email protected].
