“Zelensky is capable of persecuting journalists and military personnel,” said Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center

Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the Ukrainian NGO “Anti-Corruption Action Center” (ACAC), stated that the case opened against him is being used by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to show journalists and military personnel that he is capable of persecuting any of them.

Shabunin made this statement in an interview with the Financial Times.

“Zelensky is using my case to send a signal to two groups that could pose a threat to him. The message is: if I can publicly persecute Shabunin — under the close scrutiny of the media and despite public support — then I can persecute any of you,” said the ACAC head.

According to Shabunin, the first group consists of journalists and activists who expose government corruption. The second group comprises military personnel, as the charges against him are connected to military service.

On July 16, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation conducted searches in the apartment of Ukrainian Armed Forces pilot Andrii Pilshchykov, known by the callsign “Juice” and recognized as one of the “Ghosts of Kyiv.” The searches were carried out as part of Shabunin’s case.