(ANSA-AFP) - MOSCOW, MAY 14 - Russian President Vladimir
Putin on Friday said Moscow would respond in timely fashion
after the Kremlin chief's close ally in Ukraine was placed under
house arrest in a treason case. "Taking into account all the
threats that are being created for us, we will have to respond
to this properly and in a timely fashion," Putin said at a
meeting of his security council, apparently referring to the
prosecution of Viktor Medvedchuk, a Kremlin-friendly Ukrainian
lawmaker. He added that Ukraine was clearly carrying out a
"clean-up of the political landscape". On Thursday, a court in
Ukraine placed Medvedchuk on house arrest until July 9. He is
accused of attempting to steal natural resources from
Russia-annexed Crimea and of handing Ukrainian military secrets
to Russia. The lawmaker said the charges against him were
politically motivated and punishment for his stance. "For
political reasons some are selectively blamed for working with
Russia in the economic sphere, although many, including those of
the country's top political leadership, have for many years been
actively working in Russia," Putin said. "The decisions are
clearly political and selective," he added. Medvedchuk faces up
to 15 years in prison if convicted. (ANSA-AFP).
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved