Media Movement, human rights advocates call on Zelensky to introduce sanctions against Andriy Portnov

The Media Movement, media and civil society organizations call on the President of Ukraine to submit proposals for the National Security and Defense Council to consider introducing sanctions against Andriy Portnov, former deputy head of the Viktor Yanukovych administration, as per their joint address.

The authors are concerned by 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,” the address says.

The authors also ask the Supreme Court and the High Council of Justice to review the rulings in these cases for compliance with the standards of justice and judicial ethics.

“Any possible influence on the judiciary, abuse or violation of the standards of justice must be investigated, assessed accordingly and curbed immediately,” the address says.

Moreover, the initiators remark that the US has imposed sanctions on Portnov due to his involvement in corruption aimed at controlling the Ukrainian judiciary.

Yet, Ukraine has not yet imposed any sanctions on Portnov, says the address, despite the numerous journalistic investigations suggesting his continued influence over the Ukrainian judiciary.

Yaroslava Volvach, senior investigator at Hromadske and a Media Movement representative, has already submitted a petition in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, calling on the NSDC to introduce sanctions against Andriy Portnov.

The Institute of Mass Information provides the full address:

We, the Media Movement members, as well as Ukrainian media and civil society organizations, express our deep concern with Ukrainian courts having repeatedly granted claims by former MP Andriy Portnov against media outlets and civil society organizations. This is happening despite the considerable reasons to view his activities critically.

• 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."

Despite numerous journalistic investigations pointing to Andriy Portnov's possible continued influence over the Ukrainian judiciary, Ukraine has imposed no sanctions against him yet.

Yaroslava Volvach, senior investigator at Hromadske and a Media Movement representative, has already submitted a petition in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, calling on the NSDC to introduce sanctions against Andriy Portnov.

“I would like to publish the petition on the President’s website, but, unfortunately, they declined to post my petition four times, citing its 'non-compliance with established requirements.' All while the government somehow recognized a similar text as meeting all standards,” the journalist explained.

The Media Movement supports this petition and calls on the President of Ukraine to submit proposals for the consideration of the NSDC to impose sanctions against Andriy Portnov in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Sanctions”. In case of refusal, we ask you to provide the public with an explanation of the reasons for such a decision.

The Media Movement also appeals to 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. We ask 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.

Previously

In September 2024, the Kyiv Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint filed by Natalia Sedletska, the director of Radio Liberty's Kyiv bureau and of the "Skhemy" project, in the defamation lawsuit by Andriy Portnov, an ex-deputy and former Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration. The Court upheld the ruling by the Pechersk District Court, who judged in Portnov's favor.

Portnov sued Sedletska and multiple other media outlets in the fall of 2020 over her Facebook post dated August 17, 2020 – the day a "Skhemy" corporate car was set on fire. In the post, Sedletska mentioned Portnov's negative attitude towards the team, namely the fact that he had leaked the personal data of their driver, including his address and the license plates of the car that was subsequently set on fire, and on the eve of the arson, he publicly threatened to "teach a lesson" to the investigative journalism project.

Also in September 2024, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv ruled in favor of Andriy Portnov, who sued the "Chesno" Movement, demanding his profile be removed from the register of high traitors on the Movement's website.

On December 9, 2024, the Kyiv Court of Appeal upheld the ruling by the Pechersk District Court and ordered Hromadske to take down the investigation “How they robbed us of Crimea: exclusive records” into Andriy Portnov, the former deputy head of Viktor Yanukovych's administration. The team says they disagree with the verdict and will appeal to the Supreme Court.