“If people’s deputies choose to serve not the people of Ukraine, but the murderers who came to Ukraine, our actions will be appropriate.”Medvedchuk, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, headed a banned pro-Russian party the Opposition Platform – For Life in Ukraine and was facing treason charges before being transferred to Moscow in September.A win by rival candidate Viktor Yushchenko in a repeat run-off election marked Medvedchuk’s temporary downfall, but he started putting together a media empire that would eventually include three television networks and a string of publications.His unimpeded escape when Russia invaded Ukraine in February was seen as a sign of the weakness of Zelenskyy’s government amid the chaos and uncertainty of the war’s first days.He was captured in April by Ukraine’s special services and accused of high treason for attempting to steal natural resources from Russia-annexed Crimea and handing Ukrainian military secrets to Moscow.He was one of more than 50 prisoners handed over to Russia in September in exchange for 215 Ukrainian imprisoned soldiers."