Ukrainian journalist admits taking part in undermining stability in Ukraine at Russia’s orders
Pavlo Zolotarev, also known as Pavlo Miasoyedov is a Zaporizhia journalist and head of the local editorial board of the news agency New Region. He admitted in court his guilt in encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as reported by the city’s local website 061.ua with reference to the court register.
In February, the head of the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine), Vasily Gritsak and Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko reported at a briefing that Zaporizhia journalist Zolotarev had bribed politicians fusing money provided by Moscow. The SBU published an audio recording for corroborating evidence.
Zolotarev was accused of encroaching on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The case was transferred to Kyiv Pechersk District Court.
According to the case, in autumn 2015 an organized criminal group was formed that would implement a plan to destabilize the political and economic situation in Ukraine. The group needed an organizer, a man who could organize propaganda campaign in mass media, as well as hold round tables, meetings and conferences. Zolotarev got involved, and was offered money for that.
In 2016, this organized criminal group agreed on the pushing a number of appeals at the sessions of district and regional councils calling on the leadership of the country to implement the separation of powers between central and local authorities, as well as providing an approval for special legal and economic status’ of these territories.
To carry out this plan, Zolotarev found officials in local councils who agreed to receive money. For each accepted appeal, he received from the Kremlin anywhere from sixty thousand to a hundred thousand dollars, which he then distributed to the people he involved.
At the trial, Zolotarev fully admitted his guilt in court and agreed to conclude an agreement with the inquiry. In this case, his punishment could be mitigated. He could, for example, receive a conditional sentence. The Pechersk court disagreed with this outcome and returned the case to the Prosecutor General's Office for a second investigation.
In related news, the head of the SBU, Vasily Gritsak reported about the detention of 18 Russian intelligence residents in Kharkiv.