Ukraine's Prosecutor General Kravchenko confirms he's abroad ahead of dismissal vote

"I intend to inform international partners about the real state of affairs in the anti-corruption body system, signs of their accumulating uncontrolled influence, and the risks such practices pose to state sovereignty, the rule of law, and Ukraine's democratic institutions," the prosecutor general said.

Ukrainska Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach, citing law enforcement sources, reported that Kravchenko crossed Ukraine's border at 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 14 in an official vehicle.

Kravchenko earlier pressed charges against NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau) Director Semen Kryvonos. Kravchenko claims that during Operation Carthage and related searches, anti-corruption bodies obtained protected materials, and that some documents were copied and stolen. According to Kravchenko, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously restrained him from taking this step.

Zelenskyy said he had told Kravchenko to leave his post as prosecutor general.

"This prosecutor general has only one path: dismissal from his post. That's exactly what I told him," Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine has seen all the reasons why. If he considers this political pressure, let him call it that. I ask parliament to support this dismissal without delay.”

Kravchenko also charged a person close to SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office) head Oleksandr Klymenko, alleging "influence over the head of the High Anti-Corruption Court, an offer of improper benefit to him, and assistance in evading mobilization."

NABU's Operation Carthage concerns the exposure of a criminal organization that provided “protection” to a network of fraudulent call centers. According to NABU, the operation's organizer was Serhii Kropyva, an official at the Prosecutor General's Office.

On Sept. 7, Prosecutor General Kravchenko said he had submitted his resignation amid reports of possible involvement in corruption schemes.