Ex-SBU chief Khoroshkovsky returns to Ukraine

Journalists of the Schemes program (a joint project of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the UA:First television channel) learned this from three independent sources.

Khoroshkovsky arrived in Kyiv on a private flight on Tuesday, May 21.

Khoroshkovsky is a Ukrainian politician, businessman, former owner of the Inter television channel. He served as economy minister in the government led by Viktor Yanukovych, head of the State Customs Service under President Viktor Yushchenko, SBU chief under President Viktor Yanukovych, as well as finance minister and first deputy prime minister in the government led by Mykola Azarov.

Khoroshkovsky left Ukraine at the end of 2012. According to media reports, he lived in Monaco. His departure abroad was preceded by a conflict with former Prime Minister Azarov. In December 2012, Khoroshkovsky, while serving as first deputy prime minister, tendered his resignation. He substantiated his decision by "disagreement with Mykola Azarov's re-appointment as prime minister."

In 2014, Khoroshkovsky tried to return to politics. He was No. 2 on the ticket of the Strong Ukraine party led by Sergiy Tigipko. A group of people's deputies tried to remove him from registration because of his absence in the country for two years. A court rejected the request, but Khoroshkovsky did not become a deputy because Strong Ukraine did not get the required number of votes during parliamentary elections.

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