Is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky locking up his political opponents? This is what several Internet users and influential personalities have been saying on social networks for several days. These assertions mostly cite comments attributed to the American Tulsi Gabbard, designated by Donald Trump as the future head of intelligence of the United States.
She appears in a video extract, dubbed into French, in which we hear: “look at what type of democracy Zelensky is leading in Ukraine. He not only imprisoned his political opponents early on. He banned their entire political party. He shut down all media that wasn't controlled by him and his government, basically. So there was no freedom of expression, no room for any political opposition, and he then attacked religion. There is no religious freedom in this country, he closed down the second largest Christian church. »
Although dating from 2023, this video clip is authentic. It comes from an interview given by Tulsi Gabbard, known for her pro-Russian positions, on the conservative political show The Rubin Report. You can also find the full extract on the politician's YouTube channel.
Personalities considered close to Russia arrested
Since the start of the Russian offensive in February 2022, “there has been a repressive movement against political actors who have been suspected of collaboration or connivance with the enemy”, analyzes Anna Colin Lebedev, political scientist and sociologist specialist in Ukraine. “This involved the banning of a certain number of political parties, including the “Opposition Bloc”, which itself came from the “Party of Regions”. Zelensky was not the first to instigate this ban. Since 2014, there have been waves of bans on this movement which was identified as being affiliated with Russia. » As reported Liberationthe Ukrainian president suspended 11 political parties in 2022, due to their supposed links with Russia.
“The political arrest that made the most noise was that of Viktor Medvedchuk, close to Vladimir Putin and accused of having worked to welcome the Russian occupier on Ukrainian soil. He was arrested, tried and sentenced to prison,” says Anna Colin Lebedev, for whom “his link with Russia is beyond doubt. »
The specialist also cites the anti-corruption campaign led by the Ukrainian government against the oligarchs, and in particular the prosecutions against the man considered to be Zelensky's godfather, Ihor Kolomoisky. “I don't think we can call him a political opponent, but the objective was also to send a message to the business community and the oligarchic functioning of the country. »
Political opposition exists in Ukraine
How were the arrests for complicity with Russia perceived by Ukrainians? “In the first months of the war, there was the idea, supported by facts, that local agents had helped Russia to inform, to infiltrate. So, it was rather well received. » “But today society is very vigilant with regard to the president. There is no personality cult of Zelensky. There is criticism that comes from Parliament, but also from influential figures in civil society and the military,” explains Anna Colin Lebedev.
The specialist gives the example of former President Petro Poroshenko. “There is a very strong animosity between him and Zelensky, which does not prevent him from being present on the public stage.” The latter was the main opponent of Volodymyr Zelensky during the previous election in 2019.
What freedom for the media?
As for the media, Volodymyr Zelensky's government closed several channels considered pro-Russian in 2021, as reported The World. More recently, three channels were excluded from DTT in April 2022. A situation denounced by NGOs such as Reporters Without Borders. “At the start of the war, there was a consensus between the media on the need to have a single and fairly controlled message, so as not to give the enemy any harm and centralize efforts,” adds Anna Colin Lebedev, which nevertheless specifies that this consensus has been “very strongly called into question” for more than a year.
“There have already been cases of pressure on journalists from the presidential administration. But this provokes very intense media coverage and the government has been forced to backtrack and re-adhere to the principles of press independence. These pressures are very unanimously considered to be anomalies,” adds the researcher.
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No religious freedom in Ukraine?
Finally, regarding freedom of religion, 20 Minutes has already verified claims that the Orthodox religion has been banned by the government. On August 20, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted a law targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The latter is attached to the Russian Orthodox Church, considered an ally of the Russian regime. However, there are several Orthodox Churches in Ukraine which are not covered by this law.
