Zelensky Imposes Sanctions Against Arestovich

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has imposed sanctions against Alexei Arestovich, a former advisor to his office. The decree was published on the president's website.

Arestovich resigned in January 2023 after stating that the collapse of an entrance to a multi-storey building in Dnipro on January 14, 2023, was caused by a missile fired by Ukrainian forces. Later, he apologized and termed his words as incorrect.

After his resignation, Arestovich left Ukraine and sharply criticized Zelensky and his policies. He is facing legal proceedings in Ukraine for making false reports of criminal offenses, as well as for promoting violence and cruelty, and for inciting racial, national, or religious intolerance and discrimination.

In early 2024, Arestovich was sentenced in absentia by the Basman Court of Moscow. The former advisor is suspected of public calls for terrorism and disseminating false information about the military. In Belarus, Arestovich faced charges in March 2022 for inciting terrorist attacks on Belarusian railway facilities, where he could face up to five years of imprisonment.