The SBU Lists Petro Symonenko as Wanted, Citing Allegations of Calls for Violent Regime Change
The Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU, has placed Petro Symonenko on its wanted list amid charges that he publicly advocated the seizure of state power. This information is reported by TASS, drawing on Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs search database. The development adds a new chapter to the ongoing scrutiny of political figures tied to parties barred under Ukrainian law.
Symonenko, who previously led the Communist Party of Ukraine, is described in official materials as a person who is currently evading pre-trial investigation authorities. The authorities note the date of his disappearance as August 19, 2023, a detail that anchors the ongoing procedural process and the search effort. The case centers on Part 3 of Article 19 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which covers public calls for violent changes to the constitutional order or for the seizure of state power by a person who is a representative of the authorities. If found guilty, Symonenko could face a prison sentence of up to five years.
Earlier statements from the SBU indicated suspicions surrounding Symonenko, signaling the beginning of formal allegations that prompted the pursuit. The investigation is described as asserting that Symonenko relocated to Russia with the accompaniment of Russian special forces and lent support to Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine. This narrative aligns with broader reporting about senior political figures connected to former opposition movements and their stance toward the conflict in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian media possibly drawing on various sources, Klymenko Time reported that Symonenko was taken from the village of Berezovka in the Makarovsky district of the Kyiv region. The report claimed that upon the arrival of Russian troops in the area, the former party leader met them personally and hosted them at his home. The timeline of events, including travel through Russian checkpoints to Belarus and onward into Russia, was described in media summaries as occurring between March 4 and March 8, 2022. Such accounts have circulated amid broader debates about the movement of political figures during the early phases of the conflict and the role of regional networks in these movements.
Observers note that public discourse in Western media about leadership and power sharing often touches on how official actors and opposition groups interact during times of political upheaval. In this case the Ukrainian authorities emphasize the legality of the charges and the need for accountability under national law. The case continues to unfold within Ukraine’s legal framework as investigators seek to determine the full scope of any alleged wrongdoing, along with the exact circumstances surrounding Symonenko’s apparent disappearance and departure from the country. The broader conversation also includes how post crisis governance and party regulation are managed within Ukraine, and how security services monitor movements tied to leadership figures associated with banned organizations.
As this matter develops, Ukrainian officials reiterate their commitment to upholding constitutional order and the rule of law while ensuring that any actions taken are firmly grounded in due process. The case presents a lens into how states address alleged calls for violent political change and how international observers interpret the actions of political figures during a period of heightened tension. The dynamics surrounding Symonenko’s case highlight the delicate balance between protecting national security interests and maintaining transparent, lawful procedures that withstand scrutiny from both domestic and international audiences. In ongoing reporting, authorities continue to describe the situation in terms of legal steps, investigative findings, and movements that have drawn public attention, while maintaining a focus on the imperative of upholding the integrity of Ukraine’s constitutional framework. (Source notes: official Ukrainian authorities and reporting outlets such as TASS and related Ukrainian publications.)