Appropriation of Sukholuchchia grounds: investigation completed

On Feb. 24, 2023, NABU and SAPO completed the investigation of the fugitive ex-president and three other persons suspected of grabbing a 17.5-hectare land plot in the Kyiv region. Their actions fall under Part 5 Art. 27, Part 5 Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, in 2007 the ex-president (the prime minister at the time of the crime) appropriated a plot of forest land on the territory of the Sukholuchchia village council of the Vyshhorod district of the Kyiv region. To this end, he initiated a number of administrative decisions, enabling the land's illegal transfer from the Cabinet of Ministers to the Kyiv Regional State Administration.

Subsequently, the suspects sought out persons who applied to the Kyiv Regional State Administration for the allocation of land plots up to 1 ha. Later, these persons (who turned out to be relatives or close relatives of the suspects) filed requests with the Kyiv Regional State Administration to change the purpose of the land, which allowed its transfer to a company affiliated with the ex-president.

According to experts, the estimated value of the land exceeds UAH 22 million.

During 2009-2011, a hotel and restaurant complex was built on this terrain, which was further used by the ex-president for personal needs.

NABU and SAPO started to delve into the above facts in 2019. From the moment the ex-president fled to the russian federation in 2014 and until November 2019, the case had been investigated by the PGO's Department of Special Investigations, which served charges in 2015-2016. The investigation of other persons, staying in Ukraine, was completed by the PGO and sent to the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv.

As part of the NABU investigation, detectives initiated the transfer of the hotel and restaurant complex to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency.

Based on the materials collected by NABU and SAPO, the Ministry of Justice filed an administrative lawsuit for confiscation of the assets of the former president, including the hotel and restaurant complex built on the mentioned terrain. The claim was upheld by the High Anti-Corruption Court.

The confiscation became possible thanks to the Law of Ukraine "On Sanctions", which applies only during martial law to persons who have significantly contributed to armed aggression against Ukraine.