Zelensky kicks security chief

 

Ukraine : Zelenskyj fires security chief and public prosecutor 

 

Of: 

 

Emma Håkansson 

 

Published: Less than 3 hours ago 

 

Updated: Less than 40 minutes ago 

 

NEWS 

 

Volodymyr Zelensky has fired Ukraine's security chief Ivan Bakanov. The public prosecutor Iryna Venediktova has also been allowed to leave. 

 

In addition, more than 60 Ukrainian officials are suspected of high treason. 

 

"Today, 651 criminal cases have been registered regarding high treason," he writes on Telegram. 

 

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has fired security chief Ivan Bakanov and public prosecutor Iryna Venediktova, they write on the government's website. 

 

"I made a decision to dismiss the public prosecutor and the head of Ukraine's security service," Zelenskyj wrote on Telegram. 

 

Oleksij Simonenka takes over as public prosecutor. It is not known who will take over as head of the Ukrainian security service SBU. 

 

According to Euromaidan, Bakanov was fired under Article 47 of the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which states: "Failure (improper performance) of official duties, resulting in human casualties or other serious consequences or creating a threat of such consequences."

 

 

President Zelensky. Photo: Andrew Kravchenko / AP 

 

 

Security Chief Ivan Bakanov. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / AP 

 

Officials are accused of high treason 

 

In connection with this, several officials are also accused of high treason. 

 

"As of today, 651 criminal cases have been registered regarding high treason and collaborative activities for employees of prosecutors, pre-trial investigations and other law enforcement agencies," he continues. 

 

In 198 of the cases, suspects have been notified. 

 

"In particular, more than 60 employees of the prosecutor's office and the SBU remained in the occupied territory and are working against our state," he writes. 

 

The large number of violations of state national security and the links that have been registered between employees of the security forces in Ukraine and the special services in Russia create very serious questions for the leaders concerned, the president says. 

 

 "Each of these questions will receive a correct answer," he concludes.