At a meeting on August 20, the National Security and Defense Council imposed sanctions against Strana editor-in-chief  Igor Guzhva, as well as against Olga Shariy, Anatoly Shariy and People’s Deputy Andrey Derkach.

In addition, NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that sanctions were imposed against the company’s director Lyubov Lukashina, as well as Lasmak LLC and Madzheri LLC (the publishing companies of Strana).

Igor Guzhva himself has already commented on the incident on his Facebook page.

«NSDC sanctions against us are an unlimited solution. The basis is some «SBU data». Which, as usual, no one will say. But this is also an assessment of our work. They’re afraid of us. So we’re doing everything right. These sanctions will result in an attempt to block our website in the near future. But we will continue to work. We’ll tell you how soon. Nothing. Under Poroshenko, I was put in prison. Under Zelensky, the site is blocked. But Poroshenko left. Zelensky will also leave. And the «Country» will remain. Thank you to all those who support us! » — wrote the editor-in-chief of the publication.

The National Security and Defense Council has been consistently fighting media objectionable to the authorities since winter. So, in early February, the body closed three opposition TV channels: 112 Ukraine, NewsOne and ZIK. And Vladimir Zelensky put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the channels.

Their employees created a new media outlet — the Pershy Nezalezhny TV channel. But it was immediately covered up, and even without a decision of the National Security and Defense Council.

In addition, now there is an attack on the Nash TV channel, which the authorities are trying to eliminate with the help of the National Council on TV.

The Opposition Platform-for Life! party commented on the sanctions imposed on Friday, August 20, against the Strana newspaper, as well as the editor-in-chief Igor Guzhva. In particular, they called it » a kick of Ukrainian democracy on the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of independence.»

The party’s statement was published on the official website of the political force.

«The Zelensky regime gave another kick to Ukrainian democracy on the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of independence. Today, to the sound of rehearsals of the parade, the NSDC imposed sanctions against the next media and journalists objectionable to the authorities. Under the NSDC sanctions, in particular, the online publication » Country.ua», its editor-in-chief Igor Guzhva, well-known political video bloggers Anatoly Shariy and Olga Shariy.

Following the opposition TV channels that were forcibly ordered to close by the regime, leading Ukrainian Internet publications and political bloggers with a million-strong audience fell under the ice rink of repression without trial and investigation, » the report says.

The OPFL considers that the authorities ‘ fear of the truth is considered to be the only reason for the introduction of sanctions.

«They no longer want people to hear about their corruption, lack of professionalism and surrender of national interests. Fear drives the regime to make criminal unconstitutional and anti-democratic decisions. For fear of losing power, the Zelensky’s  regime is turning Ukraine into a deep medieval dictatorship in the center of Europe.

Oppoplatform denounced the decision, calling it «an unconstitutional and criminal crackdown on freedom of speech.» They also promised to support Strana and other media outlets.

The party is ready to appeal to the OSCE, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as other human rights organizations to respond to the situation.

«Ukrainian democracy is in danger. If the Zelensky’s  regime destroys freedom of speech, the civilized future of our country can be forgotten. We call on all democratic political forces, all Ukrainian citizens, to unite in order to defend Ukrainian democracy, protect freedom of speech, and the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens.

Today, on August 20, a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council was held, as a result of which Secretary Alexey Danilov traditionally spoke to the media.

Among other things, the Security Council imposed sanctions against Igor Guzhva and the publishers of Strana . All details, reactions, and comments from opinion leaders can be found in our updated article.

By yourself Guzhva called the decision limitless and based on unspoken «data of the SBU». He also assured that Strana will continue its work.

«NSDC sanctions against us are an unlimited solution. The basis is some «SBU data». Which, as usual, no one will say. But this is also an assessment of our work. They’re afraid of us. So we’re doing everything right. These sanctions will result in an attempt to block our website in the near future. But we will continue to work. We’ll tell you how soon. Nothing. Under Poroshenko, I was put in prison. Under Zelensky, the site is blocked. But Poroshenko left. Zelensky will also leave. And the «Country» will remain. Thank you to all those who support us! » — wrote in the social network Igor Guzhva.

A source: A country