MP Shevchenko receives new charge of treason: he faces life imprisonment

Ukrainian Member of Parliament Yevhen Shevchenko, who has been held in pretrial detention since November, has received a new charge from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) — this time, for high treason during wartime.

This was reported by the SBU’s press center.

According to the statement, the SBU, in cooperation with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), uncovered new alleged crimes committed by the MP. An independent forensic analysis reportedly confirmed that Shevchenko “worked for the aggressor state not only before but also after the full-scale invasion.”

In particular, he is accused of spreading Kremlin propaganda, including false narratives urging Ukrainians to lay down their arms before Russian forces and attempting to discredit Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

The SBI also reported that Shevchenko frequently traveled to Belarus, where he met with business and political figures — including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. He is accused of spreading false claims suggesting there was no threat of a Russian attack from Belarusian territory.

Shevchenko remains in custody. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Previously, following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, Shevchenko publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to begin direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war. This led to a public clash with Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office.

Shortly afterward, Shevchenko himself stated that a criminal case was being prepared against him and that he was ready to go to jail.

In mid-November, he was officially charged with treason, and the court immediately ordered his detention in a pretrial facility.