Portnov called the statement about sanctions against him a “denunciation.”

Former Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Viktor Yanukovych Andrei Portnov considers the Media Movement’s statement about sanctions against him a “denunciation” motivated by revenge and hostility.

The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) reported this on January 8.

This is stated in Portnov’s appeal to the participants of the Media Movement, sent on January 8 to a number of media and public organizations.

The statement of the Media Movement contains a link to a petition published on December 24, 2024 on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers, calling for the issues of sanctions against Andrei Portnov to be submitted to the National Security and Defense Council for consideration.

Portnov’s letter speaks of pressure from “so-called public activists” on the National Security and Defense Council and the state leadership “for further accusations of inaction.”

Portnov called the very statement of the Media Movement a denunciation motivated by revenge against him:

I am convinced that everyone else, including the signatories of this denunciation, public sector activists and journalists, if they themselves do not defend the Motherland at the front, have no moral right to public activity during the war. And this especially applies to those who serve in Kyiv offices and restaurants, forming an alibi for themselves of involvement in military affairs, while at the same time being malicious evaders, violators of mobilization laws, organizers of falsification of documents about their military service, or beneficiaries of aid imported for the needs of the army and appropriated for the purpose of profit. .

Portnov believes that journalists and activists want to take revenge on him.

This surge of activity … is not carried out in connection with my influence on the court, but for reasons of revenge and hostility and is aimed at putting pressure on the National Security and Defense Council and the state leadership for further accusations of inaction,” the letter says.

The ex-official also called Mediarukh “an organized group.”

We are dealing with a new phenomenon when, uniting in an organized group of so-called public activists, they try to lead the country, put pressure on officials and try to present their private interests as public opinion,” Portnov said.

Portnov recalled that Ukrainian courts have repeatedly satisfied his claims against media and public organizations. According to him, he wins cases against media workers and public organizations by appealing to already reformed courts.

I have not worked in the public service for almost 11 years, and today I am actually filing claims in a different court than the one that existed 11 years ago. Now I am appealing to the court, which has repeatedly undergone complete reform with the participation of not only a significant part of the authors of the mentioned Statement, but also dozens of their partners…,” Portnov’s appeal says.

In particular, Portnov mentioned that:

1. The Pechersky District Court of Kyiv ordered the “Chestno” Movement to remove him from the Register of Traitors (the “Chestno” Movement filed an appeal in this case – ed.)

2. The appeal supported him in the case against the head of the Radio Liberty bureau, Natalka Sedletskaya (Natalia Sedletskaya’s defense filed a cassation against the decision of the Kyiv Court of Appeal – ed.)

3. The appeal ordered hromadske to delete the investigation about him (the editors appeal to the Supreme Court – ed.)

4. The Anti-Corruption Center lost his appeal when he demanded to admit that he was not a “pro-Russian figure” (the Supreme Court opened proceedings against Andrei Portnov in this case – ed.)

In my court cases, the defendants, some of whom are both distributors and signatories. colleagues or information partners, Portnov said in his appeal. In addition, Portnov is convinced that US sanctions against him will be lifted in the future.

He himself, according to him, has the right not to defend Ukraine at the front, unlike journalists and activists.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale armed invasion of Ukraine, I have not been publicly active. I believe that only people directly involved in making state and military decisions, defenders of the Motherland and persons providing military logistics and building military infrastructure have the moral right to public activity and comments on government, foreign and domestic policy, government actions and the situation at the front. , military journalists and recognized military experts,” said Portnov.

Why Mediarukh calls for sanctions against Portnov

Let us recall that on December 26, 2024, Mediarukh expressed concern that Ukrainian courts have repeatedly satisfied Portnov’s claims against media and public organizations. This happens despite the existence of serious grounds for a critical attitude towards his activities. Consequently, Mediarukh called on the President of Ukraine, in accordance with the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Sanctions,” to submit proposals for the introduction of sanctions against Portnov to the National Security and Defense Council for consideration.

The statement stated that:

• In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on Portnov, citing his involvement in corrupt practices aimed at controlling the Ukrainian judicial system. In a statement, the US Treasury Department noted that Portnov influenced judicial legislation, promoted the appointment of loyal officials to high positions in the judicial system and used bribery to achieve his goals.

• From 2010 to 2014, Andrei Portnov held key positions in the Administration of President Viktor Yanukovych, in particular, he was involved in the adoption of the so-called “January 16 laws”, which violated the rights of citizens, limited freedoms and recognized civil society as “extremists” and “foreign agents” .

Mediarukh also appealed to the Chairman of the Supreme Court and the High Council of Justice with a call to ensure transparency and objectivity in the consideration of cases involving public figures such as Andrey Portnov.

In addition, he asked that judicial decisions in these cases be reviewed to ensure their compliance with the standards of justice and judicial ethics. Any possible influence on the judicial system, abuse or violation of standards of justice must be investigated, assessed accordingly and stopped immediately.

Source: Racurs

David

I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.