Russia’s FSB requests arrest of Ukrainian ministers

The Russian security services (FSB) have requested the arrest of two Ukrainian ministers, a Moscow court told AFP, after state media said they had been accused of violating Russia’s territorial integrity.

Moscow court spokesperson told AFP that FBS investigators had “requested the arrest ... in absentia” of Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk and Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova.

 "The court received a petition from the investigators for a measure of restraint in absentia in the form of arrest against Irina Andreevna Vereshchuk and Emine Aiyarovna Dzhaparova, accused of committing a crime under 280.2 of the Russian Criminal Code (violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation). They have been put on an international wanted list," the press service said.

Investigators have asked the district court to take the accused into custody from the moment of their actual detention, extradition or deportation to the territory of the Russian Federation. The article imputed to Vereshchuk and Dzhaparova provides for a maximum penalty of up to 10 years' imprisonment.