Ternopilshchyna: A majoritarian candidate reports harassment

Vasyl Chubak, who is going to stand as a candidate for the Ukrainian parliament in district #167 in Ternopil oblast, declared that he and his family are exposed to the pressure of police, and this is the way his competitors "convince" him to give up his political ambitions.

Mr. Chubak is known as a businessmen and owner of one of the biggest shopping malls in Ternopil. Vasyl Chubak stood as a candidate for mayor one time. Thanks to the early start of the campaign and the money invested into it, Mr. Chubak is now considered to be one of the strongest competitors in southern election district #167 in Ternopil. Vasyl Chubak had lately publicly announced that his foes threaten him and his family, and expose them to disrepute. In late June this year, the son of Mr. Chubak was detained by the police for drug possession. Vasyl Chubak insists, that the drugs were put by police. He sais that they did it because one of his competitors in the district is "influential figure in police generals shoulder straps". Political competitors are paying off old scores in such a way, he says.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Ukraine in Ternopil oblast refuted Mr. Chuback's accusations of bias and dishonesty. "... some entrepreneurs and deputies of oblast council, which see themselves politicians in future, groundlessly charge region police department with criminal prosecution of members of their families, intimidation and harassment by law enforcement officers against the family business. Such statements are absolutely false and pretentious.

Police representatives emphasize, that the regional MIA of Ukraine always was and remains far from the politics, and is working only for securing rights and interests of citizens, fighting crime and ensuring law and order in the Ternopil oblast, in accordance with the Law.