Ukraine sentences former President Viktor Yanukovych in absentia to 15 years in prison for fleeing to Russia in 2014

A Kyiv court has sentenced former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to 15 years in prison for fleeing to Russia with his associates in February 2014.

According to Interfax-Ukraine, the court found Yanukovych guilty of organizing the illegal crossing of Ukraine’s state border and inciting desertion.

Kostiantyn Kobzar, Yanukovych’s former head of security, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of organizing the illegal border crossing and desertion.

Both men were also found guilty of organizing the unlawful evacuation of at least 20 people from Yanukovych’s inner circle and security staff, persuading them to desert.

This is the second criminal sentence a Ukrainian court has handed down to Yanukovych, who has been living in Russia for more than 11 years. In January 2019, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for treason and aiding in the waging of an aggressive war.