Ukraine’s prosecutor general has launched a treason investigation into Galina Danilchenko, the newly appointed mayor of Melitopol, which is currently under Russian control, CNN reported. 

This move comes after a group of members belonging to the Melitopol City Council wrote to the prosecutor general, requesting that criminal proceedings be initiated against the new mayor for “the high crime of treason, for attempting to set up an occupying government in Melitopol”, as per CNN. 

According to CNN, the council has also accused Danilchenko “a city council member from the Opposition Bloc,” of doing away with the city government and transferring powers to a People’s Deputies Committee. 

Also Read | War censorship exposes Vladimir Putin’s leaky internet controls

The office of the prosecutor general has taken note and posted on its website that an investigation into the new mayor of Melitopol is underway. It stated “In announcing the creation of a body not defined by Ukrainian law, this People’s Deputies Committee, the suspect called on Ukrainian citizens for their support and citizens of Melitopol to stop resisting the occupying forces”. The prosecutor general’s office has accused Danilchenko of “fulfilling the task set to her by her Russian Federation representatives”, by declaring herself as the new mayor of Melitopol. 

Also Read | Ukraine warns NATO of Russian missile strikes unless no-fly zone is imposed

The news also comes while Danilchenko has announced Russian television channels can begin broadcasting in the city. 

Galina Danilchenko became the mayor of Melitopol after the previous mayor, Ivan Fedorov, was detained by armed men and later accused of terrorism. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was quick to label this a war crime. 

Now, with the nation’s prosecutor general looking into the matter, the Security Service of Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia region will handle the investigation as well as criminal proceedings. 

Also Read | Watch: Elderly Ukrainian couple drive away Russian soldiers who barged into house

After the request from the Melitopol City Council members, Iryna Venediktova, Ukraine’s prosecutor general, said on Facebook “I heard you and I’m proud of you” while lauding their address.