Andriy Portnov says the Media Movement's request for sanctions against him is "ratting"
Andriy Portnov, former deputy head of the Viktor Yanukovych Administration, considers the Media Movement’s call to introduce sanctions against him "ratting" motivated by vengefulness and hostility, according to Portnov’s address to Media Movement members, sent to multiple media outlets and civil society organizations on January 8.
The Media Movement's address features a link to a petition published on the Cabinet of Ministers website on December 24, 2024, calling for the National Security and Defense Council to consider introducing sanctions against Andriy Portnov. The petition was submitted by the Hromadske chief investigator and Media Movement representative, Yaroslava Volvach.
What Portnov wants
Portnov’s letter says that “so-called public activists” are putting pressure on the National Security and Defense Council and the state leadership “to then accuse them of inaction”.
Portnov called the Media Movement's address a "ratting" and an act of vengeance against him:
“I am convinced that all others, including the civil society activists and journalists who signed this ratting, have no moral right to public activity in wartime unless they are fighting for the Motherland on the front line. This applies especially to those who serve in Kyiv offices and restaurants, making an alibi for themselves by pretending to be involved in the military, all while being malicious draft dodgers, mobilization laws violators, falsifiers of documents about their army service, or profiteering from embezzling military aid imported for the army.”
Portnov believes that journalists and activists want to take revenge on him.
“This surge of activity... is not due to my influence on the court, but out of vengefulness and hostility and is aimed at exerting pressure on the NSDC and the state leadership in order to then accuse them of inaction,” the letter states.
The former official also called the Media Movement an “organized group.”
“We are dealing with a new phenomenon when so-called public activists unite into an organized group and try to govern the country, put pressure on officials and try to present their private interests as public opinion,” said Andriy Portnov.
Moreover, Portnov remarked that Ukrainian courts have repeatedly granted his claims against media outlets and NGOs. He said that he wins lawsuits against media workers and civil society organizations by appealing to already reformed courts.
“I have not been a public official for almost 11 years and the court I am filing claims in today is, in fact, not the court that existed 11 years ago. Now I am appealing to a court that has undergone repeated complete reforms, involving not only a significant nubmer of the aforementioned Statement's authors, but also dozens of their partners…” Portnov’s address reads.
Namely, Andriy Portnov mentioned that:
- the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv ordered the Chesno Movement to remove him from the Register of Traitors (the Chesno Movement has filed an appeal in this case, – Ed.);
- the Court of Appeal sided with him in the lawsuit against the Radio Liberty bureau chief Natalka Sedletska (Natalka Sedletska’s defense has filed an appeal against the Kyiv Court of Appeal's ruling, – Ed.);
- the Court of Appeal ordered Hromadske to take down the investigation about him (the team is appealing to the Supreme Court, – Ed.);
- the Anti-Corruption Action Center lost their appeal when Portnov demanded that the media outlet retract calling him a “pro-Russian figure” (the Supreme Court has opened proceedings against Andriy Portnov in this case, – Ed.)
“In my lawsuits, the defendants, some of whom have both shared and signed the Statement, are united by common features: as a rule, they act in a conflict of interest, out of personal vengefulness, resentment for consistent and continuous criticism of them, or out of collective considerations of protecting their colleagues or media partners,” Portnov’s address states. Moreover, Portnov is convinced that the US sanctions against him will be lifted in the near future.
He says that he himself has the right not to fight for Ukraine on the front line, unlike journalists and activists.
“I have not been publicly active since the start of Russia’s full-scale armed invasion of Ukraine. And having legal grounds for deferment from draft, as the father of four young children born in 2012, 2014, 2019 and 2022, I refrain from comments, criticism, or expert opinions, because I believe that only those directly involved in the public and military decision-making, defenders of the Motherland, and persons who keep the military logistics running, build military infrastructure, as well as war correspondents and recognized military experts, have the moral right to public activism and commenting on state governance, foreign and domestic policy, the actions of the government and the battlefield situation,” Portnov said.
Why the Media Movement is calling for sanctions against Portnov
On December 26, 2024, the Media Movement expressed concern with Ukrainian courts repeatedly granting Portnov’s claims against the media and civil society organizations. This is happening despite the considerable reasons to view his activities critically. In view of this, the Media Movement called on the President of Ukraine to submit proposals for the National Security and Defense Council to consider introducing sanctions against Andriy Portnov in compliance with the Law of Ukraine "On Sanctions".
The address mentioned that:
- In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on Andriy Portnov, citing his involvement in corrupt practices aimed at controlling the Ukrainian judiciary. The US Treasury Department said in their statement that Portnov had influenced judicial legislation, sought to place loyal officials in senior judiciary positions, and used bribery to achieve his goals.
- In 2010–2014, Andriy Portnov held key positions in the Administration of President Viktor Yanukovych; in particular, he was involved in the adoption of the so-called January 16 laws, which violated citizens' rights, restricted freedoms, and declared civil society "extremists" and "foreign agents."
The Media Movement also addressed the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice with an appeal to ensure transparency and objectivity in considering cases related to public figures such as Andriy Portnov. They asked that judicial decisions in these cases be reviewed for their compliance with the standards of justice and judicial ethics. Any possible influence on the judicial system, abuse or violation of the standards of justice should be investigated, assessed accordingly and curbed immediately.
The President's website declined to post a similar petition four times, citing its "non-compliance with requirements." Yet, the government's website posted the petition on the first try.
On December 28, 2024, Andriy Portnov, through his representative Karina Mikityan, appealed to the government with a demand to take the petition down. As Portnov's representative explained, posting the petition about him violated Portnov's rights and freedoms, and therefore was in violation of the law.
As of January 8, the government has not responded to the takedown request: the petition has currently received over 20 thousand signatures. The Media Movement supports this petition and encourages citizens to sign it.
For reference. The Media Movement is a community that brings together journalists from leading Ukrainian media, investigative journalists, and experts from media NGOs. Media Movement was launched on February 5, 2019.
The first signatories of the Media Movement Memorandum were UA: Pershyi, Ukrainian Radio, Hromadske Radio, Ukrinform, Interfax-Ukraine, Liga.net, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia. Ukraine”, NV, ‘Censor.net’, Channel 5, ‘Ukrainian Week’, Opinion, a number of regional media, NGOs Independent Media Council, Detector Media, Institute of Mass Information, Internews Ukraine, Center for Democracy and Rule of Law, Souspilnist Foundation, National Association of Media, Donetsk Institute of Information, Pylyp Orlyk Institute for Democracy, Zmina Human Rights Center.
The Movement was later joined by other organizations and individual journalists: more than 70 participants in total. On November 16, 2021, representatives of prominent media outlets called on journalists to unite in the professional community Media Movement to push back against political and commercial pressure on freedom of speech. The statement was initiated by 29 journalists and experts, their names are available here.
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