Zelensky threatens to send Kernes to prison
The mayor of Kharkov, Gennady Kernes, will face criminal liability if his refusal to comply with the order of the president and government to close the metro during the coronavirus pandemic leads to tragic consequences.
So, the day before, Kernes said on the NASH TV channel that he would not close the metro, because there was too much uncertainty in this issue.
“There is a direct command, a direct decree to close transport, public transport. Why am I speaking for the metro? Because it transports all categories of beneficiaries that exist in the country. Those beneficiaries who were in accordance with the indicators for state guarantees. The state rejected this, blamed it on local budgets, and is now telling us to close all municipal enterprises.
We will do what will give people protection and fully reassure them that they are protected from coronavirus. My question is: how will people get to their jobs? How will a trolleybus with 20 passengers travel, who will control it? How much is the cost of travel? How to deal with this? Who will compensate for the losses that the budget will incur?” Kernes said.
In turn, Zelensky on the talk show “Freedom of Speech” threatened Kernes with criminal liability.
“I read what Mr. Mayor said. I think. That the entire responsibility, every sick person in Kharkov or every - I don’t want to talk about deaths, I believe that there will be none - it will be entirely his responsibility. And also, on the other hand, I’ll tell you frankly - if he breaks the law, and he begins to do so, then he personally will face criminal liability,” Zelensky said.
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