"Just got letter from Poroshenko lawyers threatening to sue UK media repeating Onischenko claim he bribed MPs. That Poroshenko bribed MPs," Maxim Tucker wrote on his Twitter account.
Just got letter from Poroshenko lawyers threatening to sue UK media repeating Onischenko claim he bribed MPs. That Poroshenko bribed MPs.
— Maxim Tucker (@MaxRTucker) 8 декабря 2016 г.
Earlier, Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Onischenko accused Poroshenko of "buying" votes in the Ukrainian parliament to make necessary decisions. Onischenko also said that he had records of conversations with the president that confirm his claim.
The Times journalist said that he cannot publish the letter by Poroshenko's lawyers as it was marked private. He also added that he is not the only British journalist to receive such a letter.
2/ But unfortunately I cannot publish the letter as it is marked private and confidential and doing so could lead to a lawsuit they may win
— Maxim Tucker (@MaxRTucker) 9 декабря 2016 г.
3/ I can tell you that I am not the only UK journalist this letter has been sent to.
— Maxim Tucker (@MaxRTucker) 9 декабря 2016 г.
He also wrote that "it is indeed important that President is threatening to sue journalists."
According to Strana.ua media, Poroshenko's administration did not deny threatening journalists. The administration said that Onischenko is participating in a "campaign against the Ukrainian leadership."
Onischenko is accused in Ukraine of stealing state property, he is also suspected of treason and of an attempt to destabilize the situation in the country. Onishchenko left Ukraine before the parliament gave its consent for his arrest.