Ukrainian peace activist Yurii Sheliazhenko was charged by the Ukrainian government with justifying Russian aggression, days after his apartment was raided and searched. Sheliazhenko, member of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement and World BEYOND War, has vocally opposed any escalation of the conflict through fighting or sanctions. He spoke Sunday of his persecution by Ukrainian authorities.

Yurii Sheliazhenko: “During a year, security services secretly surveilled me, tried to find any links with Russian agents, found nothing, but still convinced I am the enemy because of my advocacy of peace by peaceful means of ceasefire and peace talks to stop senseless bloodshed and destruction.”

Sheliazhenko also said he would remain in Ukraine and continue his peace work from behind bars if he is imprisoned. Click here to see our interviews with Yurii Sheliazhenko.