Novinskiy is scrapped parliamentary immunity due to Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko) case

On December 8 the Verkhovna Rada by 228 votes stripped MP from the Opposition Bloc Vadim Novinskiy of his parliamentary immunity due to the kidnapping of Metropolitan Alexander case. The Parliament agreed to prosecute the MP. 

In the course of accusatory speech Yuriy Lutsenko informed he suspects the deputy of his pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and his complicity in kidnapping and deprivation of liberty of Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko).  

According to the Prosecutor General, former President Victor Yanukovich gave instructions to Vadin Novinskiy, while the latter, in his turn, relayed them to the executors, though “they failed to establish the place and the time.”  

In his speech in the Paliament, Vadim Novinskiy declared the case against him is a political persecution and fabrication, having emphasized he is not going to leave the country, since he does not admit his guilt.   

“The prosecutor General spoke slander. He was aware of this fact, but still carried on it. Slander is a sin to be responsible for – not before me, but before God,” he said. 

Mr. Novinskiy also stated that he was naturalized as a citizen of Ukraine by former president Viktor Yanukovich upon the request of current President Petro Poroshenko.

“According to the resolution of the General Procuracy, Yanukovic having conceived his evil plan granted me citizenship. Now I want to tell the Prosecutor General for his information: the reason for granting me Ukrainian citizenship by the ex-President of Ukraine was a request of the Minister of Economy in the government of Azarov – Petro Poroshenko,” told the MP.

At the briefing that took place after parliamentary voting, Mr. Novinsky explained that the “church case” the Prosecutor General’s Office had initiated against him is fabricated, while the accusation pins on the evidence of Metropolitan Alexander (Drabinko), who Novinsky himself called a scoundrel and blamed him in outspoken lie. “The case was framed up on the basis of evidence of just two persons who have a vested interest in it,” told the MP.   

He also added he had made donations for the treatment of the deceased Metropolitan of Kiev and all Ukraine Vladimir (Sabodan).  

Currently Mr. Novinskiy is engaged as a witness in the case, yet Lutsenko said he intends to re-qualify his status into that of suspect. 

VR Speaker Andriy Parubiy raised an issue on withdrawal of the deputy’s immunity despite the fact the VR regulatory committee had refused earlier to recommend the Parliament to vote for this decision in view of the lack of evidence.

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