Ihor Haiduk Convicted for Bribery
Ukraine's Supreme Court has upheld the final verdict against Ihor Haiduk, the former deputy head of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, for bribery. The court's decision confirms his sentence of eight years and two months in prison, along with property confiscation and a ban on holding public office. This ruling is definitive, as the Supreme Court left unchanged the earlier judgment from the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine.
Case Details
Haiduk was initially sentenced on March 6, 2025, and the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court issued its ruling on July 11, 2025. The case was initiated based on a report from a cooperating entrepreneur. According to the case files, in June 2023, Haiduk demanded an unlawful benefit of 1.8 million Ukrainian hryvnias for his assistance in settling a debt owed by the regional administration and securing contracts. During a meeting, he increased the requested bribe from 5% to 7% of the deal's value.
Haiduk, who is a pensioner and a person with a disability, was detained on June 26, 2023, alongside Ternopil Regional Council head Mykhailo Holovko and another deputy head of the regional administration, Ihor Demianchuk. The High Anti-Corruption Court also found Mykhailo Holovko guilty, sentencing him to nine years in prison with property confiscation.
The appellate court's ruling states: 'The panel of judges agrees with the conclusion of the first-instance court that it was Ihor Haiduk who created the conditions for the witness to perceive his statements as compelling action under the threat of creating unfavorable conditions for the continuation of his business activity.'
In this context, it is noted that the specific amounts for the kickbacks were determined by the accountant of the very entrepreneur who filed the initial report.
This case is part of a broader, ongoing anti-corruption campaign in Ukraine, which has become a critical focus for both domestic institutions and international partners supporting the country. The Supreme Court's final confirmation of Haiduk's sentence underscores the seriousness of corruption crimes within state bodies and reaffirms the state's commitment to combating bribery. Such rulings demonstrate a willingness to hold officials accountable for abusing their positions and lend further legitimacy to Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts, sending a clear signal to other public servants about the consequences of graft.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold in high-profile corruption cases in Ukraine, the recent developments regarding witness testimonies in similar anti-corruption trials highlight the complexities faced by defendants. The appeal by former Minister Galushchenko, questioning the validity of witness statements, adds another layer to the ongoing battle against corruption in the country.