Artem Dmytruk, a Ukrainian MP currently residing in London, is preparing to challenge an extradition request from the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Dmytruk, a former member of Zelensky's party, claims he fled Ukraine due to his opposition to a controversial law aimed at shutting down the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
According to The Independent, The Ukrainian government's extradition request is linked to charges of "hooliganism", stemming from a 2020 incident where Dmytruk allegedly attempted to force his way into a political meeting.
However, Dmytruk argues that the charges are politically motivated, tied to his support for the UOC and his criticism of Zelensky’s policies.
In an interview with the outlet Dmytruk described his dramatic escape from Ukraine, which involved taking a taxi to the Moldovan border, traversing forests, and eventually making his way to the UK via Italy.
Now in London, where he has family, the MP is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday 1st October, claiming he is a victim of political persecution.
Dmytruk, a deacon in the UOC, said the Zelensky government’s efforts to suppress the church have sparked concerns over religious freedom from the UK Foreign Office and the Church of England.
The Ukrainian government has accused the UOC of having ties to Russia and of spying for Moscow, due to its historical connections with Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Despite these allegations, Dmytruk maintains his support for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia.
“We have priests from our church who are on the front lines, helping the wounded and offering blessings,” he said.
The MP represents a district in Odessa with a large Orthodox population and insists his disagreements with Zelensky are policy-based, not personal.
He said: “I have no personal issues with Zelensky, It’s just that I disagree with certain policies that I believe are harming my constituents.”
The case has attracted attention due to the wider implications for religious freedom and the ongoing political tensions in Ukraine, with Dmytruk framing his legal battle as a stand against government oppression.