KYIV, July 18 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s head of internal security services and chief prosecutor have only been suspended and not formally dismissed by President Volodimir Zelensky, his deputy chief of staff said on Monday.
Volodimir Zelensky said on Sunday that Ivan Bakanov and Irina Venediktova had been removed from their respective posts as SBU chief and prosecutor general because of dozens of cases of collaboration with Russia within their services.
Andriy Smyrnov, deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidency, said on Monday on television that Irina Venediktova had been suspended and that Ivan Bakanov had been “provisionally relieved of his duties” while carrying out “checks and investigations”. .
Asked if these two officials could return to their posts at the end of these investigations, he replied: “We live in a state of law and of course, I can consider that.” (Reportage Max Hunder and Aleksandar Vasovic, French version Bertrand Boucey, edited by Kate Entringer)
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