The position of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on the statements published by the investigators of the US Congress House of Representatives
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine with regard to international and national legislation, guarantees protection, safety and untouchability for diplomats of any foreign state on the territory of Ukraine, including the representatives of the diplomatic corps of the United States of America
The Ministry of Internal Affairs got acquainted with the materials published on the 14th of January by the investigators of the US Congress House of Representatives, related to possible illegal surveillance on the former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch on the Ukrainian territory.
As you know, The United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence published notes and other documents stating that US Ambassador Marie Jovanovich was allegedly under illegal surveillance and her electronic gadgets were interfered by the private persons at the request of the US citizens.
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Ukraine's position is not to interfere in the domestic affairs of the United States of America. However, the published references cited contain a possible violation of the law of Ukraine and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which protects the rights of a diplomat on the territory of the foreign country.
Ukraine cannot ignore such illegal activities on the territory of its own state.
After the analysis of these files, the the National Police of Ukraine, basing on the fact of the publication of the files, has initiated criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Art. 163(Violation of secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations, telegraph or other correspondence) and Part 1 Article 182 ((Unlawful collection, storage, use of confidential personal information, breach of privacy) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Our goal is to investigate whether there actually was a violation of Ukrainian and International law, which could be the subject for proper reaction.
Or whether it is just a bravado and a fake information in the informal conversation between two US citizens.
In addition, according to the Joint Declaration of Intent between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher A. Wray in April 2018, the Ministry of Internal Affairs requested all the information and materials from the FBI about persons who may be involved in a possible criminal offense.
In accordance with the international legal mechanisms, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Arsen Avakov, suggested that the US side to take part in the investigation.
Ukraine expects the United States of America to respond promptly and looks forward to cooperation.
