Detention of Dmytro Svyatash in Sweden
Former Ukrainian MP Dmytro Svyatash was stopped from entering Sweden due to an entry ban imposed by Poland and registered within the Schengen Information System. Currently held at a Swedish migration center, Svyatash refuses extradition to Ukraine. In 2024, he was convicted in absentia and sentenced to 12 years in prison along with asset confiscation.
Svyatash arrived in Stockholm last week to attend a Stevie Wonder concert. At passport control, he presented a Ukrainian passport. Reports indicate he holds both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship. The court has set a deadline of October 28 for him to submit written explanations regarding his status.
Background on Dmytro Svyatash
In 2004, Svyatash acted as a trusted representative for presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych. From 2005 to 2014, he was a member of the Party of Regions, supporting controversial language laws and the authoritarian decrees issued on January 16, 2014. He joined the Revival parliamentary group in 2015. In 2019, he unsuccessfully ran for parliament under the Opposition Platform — For Life party. Since 2019, Svyatash has been residing in Russia.
The Security Service of Ukraine placed him on the wanted list in 2022, accusing him of undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity. He faced additional charges of treason in 2023. Investigations revealed that in August 2022, Svyatash advocated for altering Ukraine's borders and collaborated with occupying authorities. His 2024 conviction includes calls for territorial changes, property legalization offenses, and fraud. Notably, former MP Mustafa Nayyem claimed Russia intended to appoint Svyatash as Kharkiv's administrator following its occupation.
As Mark Safaryan noted, 'This man is among Ukraine's most wanted, and they are fully aware of it. That explains their behavior.'
Svyatash's detention in Sweden highlights the international efforts to hold collaborators and alleged traitors accountable. It also reflects increasing cross-border cooperation on extradition related to violations of Ukrainian law and efforts to prosecute those cooperating with Russia's aggression. The outcome of this case could significantly affect Ukraine's global standing and its capacity to defend its legal interests internationally.