Ukraine: Opposition lawmaker arrested March 22

Event

Nadia Savchenko, an opposition Member of Parliament, was detained by the State Security Service (SBU) in Kyiv on Thursday, March 22, after being accused of plotting a coup against the government. Savchenko was arrested in the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) after lawmakers voted to strip her of her immunity. According to Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko, Savchenko was planning to attack the Verkhovna Rada with explosives and automatic weapons. Savchenko has denied the accusations and claims that undercover agents are attempting to discredit her. Protests against Savchenko’s arrest are possible in Kyiv in the coming days.

Context

Savchenko has become one of the leading opposition figures against the current government since being elected into office in 2016. She is a former helicopter pilot who was captured by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and was held in a Russian prison on murder charges. While in prison, Savchenko became a symbol of resistance against Russia and was eventually released in May 2016 in exchange for two Russian intelligence officers who were being held in Ukraine.

Advice

Individuals in Kyiv are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, obey any instructions issued by the local authorities, and anticipate increased travel times due to traffic congestion and increased security measures surrounding potential protests. Due to the underlying terrorist threat amid the ongoing high sociopolitical tensions, remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the local authorities or your security officer.