7-Year Prison Sentence Delivered by the High Anti-Corruption Court to Zakarpattia Regional Council Deputy
The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) has convicted a deputy of the Zakarpattia Regional Council and his accomplice for crimes involving the unlawful alteration of land use purposes and the illegal facilitation of military conscripts crossing Ukraine’s state border. The deputy was found guilty under Part 3 of Article 332 and Part 2 of Article 369-2 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.
The court handed down a 7-year prison term to the deputy. In addition, he was barred from holding any public office or positions within local government, as well as in state and municipal enterprises or institutions, for a period of 3 years. The sentence also included asset confiscation—excluding his residential home and the land beneath it—and a monetary fine.
The deputy’s accomplice was convicted under Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code and received a 5-year prison sentence, along with a 3-year ban on occupying official positions. The deputy had proposed changing the designated use of land plots in exchange for a 15% share in the charter capital of a legal entity intended to own these parcels and associated property. He promised to coordinate the approval of these changes with the city mayor, other officials, and members of the city council.
Investigation and Consequences
This case emerged during an investigation into the illegal smuggling of conscription-age individuals across Ukraine’s state border and the unlawful influence on Border Guard Service personnel. The deputy offered a citizen a solution to bypass official border checkpoints for military conscripts. He involved a person who had direct influence over the State Border Guard Service staff to ensure smooth border crossings.
The fee for this illegal service was 10,000 euros per person. The deputy was also capable of organizing the transfer of individuals from Kyiv to designated locations and facilitating their exit from and entry into Ukraine. The scandal attracted significant public attention and highlighted ongoing efforts to combat corruption within local government bodies.
This verdict underscores the Ukrainian government’s commitment to fighting corruption, particularly amid the current security challenges where adherence to law and order is critical. The case serves as a strong warning to other officials about the serious consequences of corrupt activities and emphasizes the importance of supporting anti-corruption measures nationwide. Handling such cases helps bolster public trust in the justice system and government institutions.
This recent case highlights the ongoing issue of corruption within Ukraine's political landscape, similar to the sentencing of a former lawmaker who faced a nine-year prison term for his involvement in illegal activities. The conviction of another deputy underscores the High Anti-Corruption Court's commitment to tackling such offenses, revealing a troubling pattern of misuse of power among elected officials.