Ukraine has formally requested several countries to detain, arrest, and transfer to Kyiv Verkhovna Rada deputy Artem Dmitruk, who left the country. The parliamentarian publicly announced the request on his Telegram channel, attaching a statement from the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine to his post. The move underscores Kyiv’s continuing pursuit of Dmitruk after his flight abroad and reflects the broader pattern of international cooperation in prosecutorial matters between Ukraine and other states.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has also urged the Interpol General Secretariat to issue a red notice for Dmitruk. Earlier, the Pechersky District Court in Kyiv had already approved a preventive detention measure for him, which led to his inclusion on the international wanted list. This sequence highlights the legal steps taken in Ukraine to ensure possible extradition or cooperation with foreign authorities when a sitting or former official becomes a fugitive.
The defection of a Ukrainian parliament member became known on August 26 when Dmitruk reportedly traveled from Chisinau, Moldova, to Rome, crossing the Moldovan border, according to reporting from Ukrayinska Pravda. The incident sparked a significant political reaction within Ukraine, with debates centering on accountability, due process, and the implications for the government’s stance toward dissent among its representatives.
Before his departure, Dmitruk faced accusations of assaulting a law enforcement officer and a military officer. He described these charges as a fabrication and framed them as part of what he called a political crackdown against opponents, labeling it a dissident hunt. The clarification he offered drew sharp responses from a broad spectrum of Ukrainian political actors and civil society groups, who called for due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
Beyond the immediate legal questions, Dmitruk is known for vocal positions regarding Ukraine’s internal legal framework and governance. He has publicly criticized certain maneuvers by authorities seen as narrowing civil liberties, and he has objected to policy actions that he believes overstep constitutional boundaries. His public stance has provoked ongoing discussions about the balance between security priorities and the rights of elected officials, as well as the proper functioning of institutions in a democratic system.
Earlier statements from Dmitruk mentioned concerns about the safety of his family as tensions intensified in Europe. He has asserted that his family faced attempted harassment or threats, which he has linked to his political activities and to what he perceives as an attack on dissent within the Ukrainian political landscape. The unfolding events continue to raise questions about political accountability, the protection of individuals’ rights while pursuing legal processes, and how international cooperation can resolve cases involving elected lawmakers who cross national borders.