Ukraine's ex-president avoids detention
Dressed in a traditional embroidered shirt, Poroshenko appeared in court on Wednesday (January 19) while thousands of his supporters demonstrated outside, chanting and waving flags and briefly scuffling with police before the hearing.
Critics say the case is an ill-judged distraction at a time when Ukraine is bracing for a possible military offensive by Russia.
Poroshenko, 56, is being investigated in connection with the financing of Russian-backed separatist fighters through illegal coal sales in 2014-15.
He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty, and his party has accused Zelenskiy of a reckless attempt to silence opposition.
