The National Police of Ukraine have opened a criminal case into a possible surveillance of US ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in Ukraine, following the recent disclosures by the US House Intelligence Committee.
"Ukraine cannot ignore such illegal actions on its territory. After analyzing these materials, the National Police of Ukraine launched criminal proceedings under Article 163 Part 2 (violation of confidentiality of correspondence, telephone conversations, telegraphic or other correspondence) and Article 182 Part 1 (illegal collection, storage, use of confidential information about a person, violation of privacy) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the ministry said.
Information about a possible surveillance of the ambassador is contained in a correspondence between Florida businessman Lev Parnas and his associate Robert F. Hyde. The latter said that he was allegedly in contact with people watching Ms. Yovanovitch.
"Our goal is to investigate whether there were any violations of Ukrainian and international laws. Then there must be an appropriate response. Or it was just bravado and a fake in an informal conversation between two US citizens. The Interior Ministry the FBI to provide all the materials and information about the persons who may be involved in this possible criminal offence," the Interior Ministry said.
The Ukrainian police are ready to involve their US colleagues in the investigation.