Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and Prosecutor General's Office said on November 3 that former presidential spokesperson Yulia Mendel had been notified in absentia of suspicion of high treason and offenses involving public justification or denial of Russia's aggression. Mendel previously served as spokesperson for President Volodymyr Zelensky. The notification is a stage of criminal proceedings, not a conviction.
According to the SBU statement, the suspicion concerns Article 111(2) and Article 436-2(2) and (3) of Ukraine's Criminal Code. The first provision concerns high treason under martial law; the second addresses justifying, recognizing as lawful or denying Russia's armed aggression, as well as distributing such materials.
Ukrainian investigators allege that Mendel's public remarks meet the elements of these offenses and harmed Ukraine's national interests. The SBU also said Mendel was outside Ukraine.