Ukraine charges former Zelensky spokesperson with high treason

Ukrainian prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they had charged "high treason" against the former spokesperson for Ukrainian President Yulia Mendel, who has become one of his most prominent critics in recent years.

Mendel (40) served as Zelensky's spokesperson between 2019 and 2021, during the first years of his presidency.

Since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, Mendel increased her public criticism of the Ukrainian president, accusing him of corruption and growing authoritarianism.

The Prosecutor's Office said via the Telegram app that "prosecutors have gathered sufficient evidence to notify the former media official of the Ukrainian president that she is a suspect in a case of high treason and justification of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine."

It added that "Mendel is accused of using her fame and experience to disseminate statements supporting the aggressor state, with the aim of discrediting Ukraine."

Freedom of expression

Investigators particularly criticize Mendel for saying that "there is no freedom of expression" in Ukraine, and that the country is heading "towards disappearance."

They also accuse her of speaking about people she claims are "making fortunes from the continuation of the war," and pointing to "political nepotism" and "persecution of opponents" in Ukraine.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, these statements fall under "discourses that serve Russia's interests," which would "reinforce disappointment and frustrate Ukrainian society."

Mendel denied these accusations in a message on Telegram, noting that the wording of the charge "proves that she is right."

She added: "This is the price of freedom of expression and an attempt to save Ukraine under the Zelensky regime."

Zelensky imposed sanctions on Mendel, who currently resides outside the country, last September.

Mendel previously praised Zelensky but changed her stance towards him in recent years, accusing him of being "the biggest beneficiary of the war" and "one of the main obstacles to peace."