Ukraine accuses Zelenskyy's former press secretary of treason
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and Prosecutor General's Office have notified Yuliia Mendel, a former press secretary to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of suspicion of treason and justifying Russia's invasion, the SBU announced on November 3.
Investigators allege that Mendel discredited Ukraine internationally and justified Russia's leadership and its full-scale war against Ukraine through public statements and social media posts.
She faces suspicion under provisions of Ukraine's Criminal Code covering treason committed under martial law and justification or denial of Russia's armed aggression. The SBU said Mendel is currently outside Ukraine and was notified of the suspicion in absentia.
In September, Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on Mendel as part of a list of individuals accused of spreading Russian propaganda and supporting Moscow's aggression.
Earlier, in a May interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson, Mendel claimed that Zelenskyy had been prepared to surrender the Donbas region during peace negotiations in 2022. She also made allegations of corruption and drug use against the Ukrainian president.
Zelenskyy's office rejected the credibility of her claims, saying she had not participated in the negotiations or government decision-making.
Mendel subsequently criticized the presidential office, accusing it of responding to criticism with personal insults.
The SBU has not specified in its public announcement which individual statements form the basis of the treason allegation. The accusations have not been established in court.