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HACC orders confiscation of some assets seized in Mezhyhiria case

Thanks to NABU and SAPO's efforts, part of the property and funds seized in the so-called Mezhyhiria case have been confiscated by the HACC. On Dec. 12, 2022, the court satisfied the relevant claim of Ukraine's Justice Ministry. This is a first-instance decision that can be appealed.

The confiscated assets include:

  • a recreation and health center and a residential building (825.8 square meters) located in the village of Novi Petrivtsi (Vyshhorod district, Kyiv region);
  • 2 underground parking lots;
  • an apartment;
  • a house;
  • a brig type vessel;
  • 100% share in the authorized capital of Tantalit LLC and Dom Lesnika LLC;
  • over UAH 31 million and USD 84.9 thousand in cash;
  • 537 historical, cultural, and material values, works of art (paintings, antique furniture, etc.) worth more than EUR 18.7 million.

NABU has dealt with the Mezhyhiria case since December 2019. From the moment the ex-president and his son fled to the russian federation in 2014 until December 2019, the case was investigated by the Prosecutor General's Office. In December 2021, detectives completed the investigation and sent the case to court a year later.

As part of the probe, the arrest of hundreds of objects of movable, immovable property and vehicles located on the territory of the Mezhyhiria residence was initiated.

Based on the evidence collected by NABU and SAPO, the Ministry of Justice filed an administrative lawsuit for confiscation of the former president's assets, including the residence. This confiscation mechanism became possible thanks to the Law of Ukraine "On Sanctions", which applies only during martial law to persons who significantly contributed to armed aggression against Ukraine.

As for the defendants in the case, on Aug. 25, 2021, at the request of NABU, the investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court granted permission to conduct an in absentia investigation of the former President of Ukraine and his son, which eventually allowed to complete the investigation. In addition, the HACC chose a measure of restraint in the form of detention for both suspects.

If found guilty, they will face imprisonment from 7 to 15 years with confiscation of property.

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