Melnychenko Sent to Security Service Pre-Trial Detention Center

The Office of Attorney General (AGO) charges ex-major of State Protection Administration Mykola Melnychenko with divulging state secret.

According to Ukrainian news, Melnychenko's lawyer Mykola Nedilko stated that the investigation involving Melnychenko in the building of the Main Investigation Department of the AGO took place until 10 p.m. October 24,

During the investigation and in the presence of counsel, Melnychenko was charged in a criminal case that had previously been opened in his regard by the Attorney General's Office.

After that Melnychenko was sent to the detention center of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) in Kyiv at Askold lane where he will be kept until the Shevchenko district court of Kyiv decides on his measure of restraint.

The lawyer said that the court must consider the matter within two days after the detention and predicted that Melnichenko will wither be arrested or be placed on recognisance not to leave.

The lawyer also said that he had no reason to believe that the court hearing will be held behind closed doors.

As reported previously, on October 25 ex-major Mykola Melnychenko was detained in Boryspil airport by border patrol and the Security Service upon his arrival from the U.S.

The SSU reported that the Central Investigation Department on request from the Attorney General's Office is investigating a criminal case against Mykola Melnychenko of offenses under Part 2 of Article 328 (disclosure of state secrets), Part 1 of Art. 358 (forgery) and part 3. Art. 365 (abuse of power).