Ex-OPFL MP suspected of UAH 700,000 housing compansation fraud

On Dec. 1, 2022, NABU and SAPO notified a former Ukrainian lawmaker (Opposition Platform - For Life political party) of suspicion of illegal receipt of more than UAH 700,000 in housing compensation. His actions fall under Part 5 Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

As established, during more than two and a half years, from April 2015 to December 2018, the suspect illegally received housing compensation provided to the MPs without own apartments in the capital. The suspect owned an apartment in downtown Kyiv and was not entitled to any compensation. However, he hid this fact and received some UAH 700,000. He refused to proceed only after a high-profile journalist investigation about illegal payments was published. This very investigation triggered NABU's own probe.

In seven similar cases, investigation was completed and indictments were sent to the HACC, which ruled against six MPs. One guilty verdict regarding former MP Ruslan Solvar took effect - he was sentenced to three years in prison. Two others - Oleksandr Chernenko and Oleksandr Presman - agreed to a plea deal and received three years in prison with a probationary period. Both voluntarily reimbursed UAH 580,000 and UAH 929,000, respectively. Overall, thanks to NABU, the lawmakers returned more than UAH 4.24 million to the budget. In two more criminal proceedings, the pre-trial investigation continues.

According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered non-guilty in the commission of a crime and cannot be subject to criminal punishment until he or she is found guilty by court.