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But his arrest, and the annulment of his Istanbul University degree the previous day due to alleged irregularities, has put his candidacy in doubt.

Before last year's annulment, the pro-Russian politician told the BBC he would end all support for Ukraine if he was elected.

At the time, he cited the issue of vote-buying, as well as the need to protect the country’s judiciary as reasons for the annulment.

A Melbourne judge granted the annulment after accepting the woman was tricked into getting married, in a judgment published on Thursday.

Sindle denied that to The Times, instead claiming she felt pressured into an annulment by her parents and police.