On Tuesday, October 12, a Ukrainian court ordered pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk — an MP of the Opposition Platform — For Life party — to remain under house arrest until December, as the prosecution has widened its investigation into his activities and accused the MP of financing separatists in the Donbas, Reuters reports.
Medvedchuk, who denies wrongdoing and blames the accusations on political persecution, has been under house arrest since May. He is accused of treason and attempting to plunder state resources in Crimea, which was annexed by the Russian Federation in 2014.
The prosecution had appealed for Medvedchuk to be taken into custody instead of house arrest, saying he posed a flight risk and could try to attempt to pressure the witnesses. However, the court overruled the request, extending Medvedchuk's house arrest to December 7 from October 31.