Poroshenko Uses ‘Iron Fist’ Against Former Comrades

Ukrainian ultranationalists are increasingly coming under pressure along with representatives of pro-Russian parties. Adviser to Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoiski and leader of the Ukrainian ultranationalist party UKROP Gennady Korban was recently arrested by the country’s authorities on suspicion of leading an organized crime group.

Korban was arrested in his apartment in Dnipropetrovsk and later taken to Kiev by the Ukrainian special forces.

The politician is accused of establishing a criminal group, misusing state funds, hostage taking and car theft.

According to Telepolis, Korban’s arrest is connected with the Dnipropetrovsk local mayor elections in late October, which were not in favor of the Kiev government.

Corruption and violence among local authorities — which to a large extent consisted of the members of the ultranationalist UKROP party — prompted residents of Dnipropetrovsk to vote for member of the pro-Russian "Opposition Bloc" Alexander Vilkul.

In the first round of the election, Vilkul received 37.94% of the vote, while his UKROP counterpart Boris Filatov ranked second with 35.78%.

Earlier, Poroshenko said that Korbans’ arrest is "just the beginning" and promised that the fight against corruption and attempts to restore the rule of law in the country would continue.

However, according to Telepolis, these statements are being used by the Ukrainian President to reassure the population suffering from the economic crisis and prevent people from joining nationalist and radical groups seeking to overthrow Poroshenko.

Moreover, by means of arrests and legal trials, Poroshenko wants to protect his power against critics, both from the left- and right-wing parties, the magazine wrote.